A Window on Student Graduate Life

10 reasons to love 10 years of 'Spooks'

2011-10-16T13:15:00.015+01:00

Spooks

BBC One, Sundays, 9pm

Spooks for me is like a bad man. Smooth, well-dressed and unequivocally attractive, treating me mean and keeping me woefully keen. Since we met ten years ago, my emotional investment has only led to repeated heartbreak interspersed with the occasional heart-racing encounter. Yet, I have stuck by. And now, a decade on, it plans to dump me (undoubtedly in the most spectacularly explosive fashion) without so much as a quick courtesy phone call to check I haven't fallen completely off the post-breakup wagon.

Call me dramatic, but this is the love that I (and I believe many others) have for Spooks. So, I thought I'd search my soul for the top 10 reasons that have led to it seducing us all into this turbulent and troublesome relationship.

1. For 1 hour a week, you believe you could be a spy.

Yes, we've all thought it - fancied ourselves as the next James Bond or that sexy girl with the killer heels and the gun tucked up her suspenders. Spooks makes you believe that you really could be it. Perhaps it's something about the way that they all seem so ordinary (albeit with an impossibly high IQ and the ability to defuse a nuclear bomb) or the way they explain those pesky Russian plots and the latest Terrorist threat making you believe you've got the espionage lingo sussed. Then you remember that they'd happily exchange their mother in order to save the world and it reminds you that perhaps it's not that easy after all. Besides, I'd be rubbish under torture.

2. It's not frightened of betrayal.

The world can be pretty tough in reality, but at least we can always rely on TV to lie to us about it. Spooks, however, is no such television programme. Like a strict parent, it gives it to you straight. It hands over that cute, fluffy teddy bear you've always wanted then takes it back, tears its head off and throws the remains in the fire. Lesson: good things never last. Harsh, but - be it the lovely Adam exploding before our eyes, that whiskey-supping home secretary played by Robert Glenister who turned out to be a two-timing, lying wotsit or last season's traitor,

Lucas - Spooks has never been afraid to turn everything we believe on its head. Usually killing off/making a Russian sympathiser of our favourite characters in the process.

3. It's full of surprises.

I've been watching this show for 10 years now and it still has me stuffed behind a cushion in fear and disbelief. Oh your Hello's and Reveal's might be able to tell you what's happening on Albert Square next week but I'll be damned if anyone can figure out who's going to blow up next time on Spooks. That little preview they give you does squat. Speculate if you will but I have yet to hit the nail on the head as to the who's, where's, why's and what for's in the future of MI5.

4. It knows all the good park benches.

Has anyone noticed how empty their public meet-up spots are? I always thought that the point of meeting in public was so that it was more difficult to get shot without anyone noticing, and yet whenever spy meets spy, there's no one about. I don't know if you've ever gone out in London around lunch time but every park bench is crowded with air-hungry commuters and snap-happy tourists all tucking into their pret-a-manger. The only time the scene is ever crowded?

When there's a bomb ticking. Then, inevitably, thousands of oblivious humans are aimlessly wandering about to get in CO19's way.

5. Everyone's sexy.

Fact. It even makes I.T. look desirable.

6. It never sleeps/showers/eats.

Unless it's sipping on a whiskey after a hard day's nation-protecting, spies never seem to have to function like normal humans. I'm peckish by about 10am at work, but an MI5 worker will be holed away at his desk for hours without so much as a thought to those custard creams in the office kitchenette. The only time you see a character in bed is if they've had to have a morally ambiguous night of passion with an asset/terrorist/fellow spy and I think the only time a bath or shower has been involved was when some bird tried to drown Adam. Perhaps eating, sleeping and washing is just too dangerous when you're in espionage.

7. Americans are annoying.

No matter how much the real world thinks we're under the thumb of Uncle Sam, Harry will always fight our corner in the fictional world. The CIA might be bad-ass, 10 times as rich and even more sleek and attractive than their British counterparts, but they're arrogant and irritating and like to think that they have our beloved MI5 on a lead. Well, not so fast America - we know you're not perfect and we've got a few tricks of our own up our sleeve, so we'll take you on if we have to. Plus as long as Harry's at the top, we'll have our own two legs to stand on thank you very much.

8. It's terribly, terribly British.

This might be farfetched telly but it's no nonsense, efficient, full of awkward glances and brave faces British telly. Ros was so cold she'd have survived naked in the arctic, Ruth's constantly making eyes at Harry but you can't quite imagine the snog under a star-spangled sky and it's almost never sunny - note large overcoats, leather gloves and a constantly overcast sky. It's our recognisable home and I think that might just be one of the biggest reasons we succumb to its charm. We can forgive its twisty-turny plot lines because it's just so unashamedly us. Plus, the dry humour is there to tickle you in between the tears.

9. It took on Downton Abbey.

And lost. But who cares? It's a blip it can afford for the sake of National Security.

10. Harry is always there for us.

That's right. Despite the heartache, the explosions, the sacrifices, the chemical leaks, unavoidable attacks on assets, computer bugs and corruption from the inside, Harry has always been there to see us through. In 10 years there have been some hairy moments and he can be a right meanie from time to time (e.g. the time he let Ruth's new squeeze get shot in the back of the head in front of her), but he's always sucked it up and started over with a clear head and another bottle of whiskey (ok, so maybe not a clear head). But let's face it, no one is safe in Spooks and to kill Harry off at the end of this series might be like the universe imploding but at least they wouldn't have to find a replacement, who would take another 10 years to earn our trust. I can't help thinking though that to kill Harry off at the end of this season would be akin to the 'and then they woke up and it was all a dream' scenario. My bet's on Ruth snuffing it (probably because Harry puts her in the wrong place at the wrong time) and he'll end up being dishonourably dismissed.

But I haven't been right yet.

Please comment if you have anything to add to this article.

'Sarah's Key' Review: another Holocaust movie, but with a fresh heart

2011-08-05T21:57:00.006+01:00

Sarah's Key (2010)

Directed by: Gilles Paquet-Brenner

Starring: Kristin Scott Thomas, Mélusine Mayance, Niels Arestrup, Michel Duchaussoy

Based on the much-loved novel by Tatiana de Rosnay, Sarah’s Key is a French drama that swings between 1940s Paris and the modern day to weave the tale of a young Jewish girl persecuted in the Vel’ d’Hiv, and the woman who finds herself obsessed with her story.

Ordered by the Nazis to reduce the Jewish population in occupied France in 1942, the French authorities went on a mass arrest; imprisoning thousands of French Jews in a Parisian velodrome under inhuman conditions. In Tatiana de Rosney’s fictional tale Sarah’s Key a 10-year-old girl named Sarah attempts to save her younger brother Michel before she is taken away; locking him in the closet and making him promise not to leave until she returns. When the prisoners are moved to concentration camps and split up, Sarah realises she must escape if she is to be in with a chance of freeing Michel.

Meanwhile in the present, an American journalist names Julia Jarmond (the ever-glorious Kristin Scott-Thomas) is beginning to research a piece surrounding the inhuman events of 1940s Paris. When she and her husband inherit a small flat in the city itself, she soon finds herself woven into young Sarah's story, unable and unwilling to free herself from it for reasons she can't decipher.

Sarah’s Key could easily be yet another WW2 movie, lost among the brilliance of such releases asThe Pianist, The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas and Schindler’s list, yet it manages to feel relevant and fresh. For a start, the Nazis are not the explicit enemy, and even though it is the French authorities that round up the Jews, even they are not the focus. The spotlight, rather, is on history; the past ebbing into the present, and how it is that those we have never known can change who we are. That being said, there are several moments that send shivers through your body, akin to looking at the piles of shoes gathered from Auschwitz victims or the miles of white headstones that mark the WWI battlefields. The unimaginable scale of the Vel’D’Hiv brought vividly to the screen, but first and foremost Sarah’s Key serves the needs of its story rather than of its emotive context – and is all the better for it.

Scott Thomas is in her element as Julia, and carries the present-day section of the movie strongly. She is let down by those let’s-get-the-history-straight moments in her editor’s office and those token we’re-young-and-ignorant characters that supposedly exist in order to conveniently fill in a historically-clueless audience. Ok, those scenes may be necessary (I’d never heard the details of the Vel’ d’Hiv) but sadly the script is never quite strong enough to do away with the faint air of pragmatism.

As for the young French actress, Mélusine Mayance, her performance as the determined and intelligent Sarah is beautiful and believable. She must quickly learn about the nature of her surroundings in order to make her ruthless return journey to Paris. As she grows into an adult, haunted by her past, that heightened misery never leaves her character – and this air is something that connects her to the equally determined twenty-first century Julia.

In a way that is necessary for films that deal with tragedy, Gilles Paquet-Brenner is unafraid of bringing the brutality of the events of the Holocaust to the forefront. It risks cliché but with sensitive acting and an absorbing storyline that weaves the past and the present so successfully,Sarah’s Key is far more than just a history lesson.

Also posted on Best For Film - http://bestforfilm.com/film-reviews/drama/sarahs-key/

Please comment if you have anything to add to this review of 'Sarah's Key'.

'The Shadow Line' Review: Britain's answer to 'The Wire'

2011-05-30T15:57:00.003+01:00

The Shadow Line (BBC2 Thursdays 9pm)

Starring: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Christopher Eccleston, Stephen Rea, Rafe Spall

Genre: Crime, thriller

When drug baron, Harvey Wratten, is founded shot dead in his car, it sparks a murder investigation on both sides of the law. Jonah Gabriel (Chiwetel Ejiofor) leads the team of police - but with the confusion of amnesia hanging over his head, he struggles to get to grips with both the case and himself. Meanwhile, Joseph Bede (Christopher Eccleston) is left to salvage what is left of his investment in the drugs business whilst keeping tabs on Wratten's unstable nephew, Jay (Rafe Spall). Dark, daring and softly but spectacularly scary, Hugo Blick's The Shadow Line is the best drama to hit British screens in some time.

Raw, gritty and irresistibly addictive, this thriller brings a whole new meaning to the word 'shadow'. Impossibly dark, slow and brooding, every man, woman and child in this programme is living under a shadow. Virtually silent throughout, but with tension rising to the occasional but powerful music, you'll be gripped by the eerie acting and stripped dialogue. With a complex network of characters and storylines, Blick blurs the boundaries between the good, the bad and the ugly. Four episodes in and I'm still none-the-wiser - but that won't have you wanting to stop watching.

The modern underworld of The Shadow Line is populated with damaged characters. There's the literal damage to Jonah, who has a stroke of convenient amnesia after getting a bullet lodged in his brain. There's the unstoppable onset of early Alzheimer's that Joseph's wife, Julie (Lesley Sharp) suffers from, and the probable mental instability of the young Jay Wratten. Hard-edged and ruthless, they nonetheless all have something to protect - reputation, money, love, or even the complete unknown - and their thirst for survival in a world of secrets makes for a thrilling watch.

With stand out performances from the likes of Rafe Spall and Stephen Rea as the late-appearing Gatehouse, Blick has on board an incredibly talented team of people to make such a slow-burning thriller work. Spall commands the screen, his distinctive voice and erratic behaviour make Jay Wratten a character to be feared. But the soothing power of Rea's Gatehouse is on another level altogether. Elusive, but calm and ever-the-gentleman, his enigmatic nature will have your eyes virtually sewn to your TV.

Everything in this drama reeks of hard work and intelligence - Hugo Blick has put his all into this one and it pays off. Stealthy, silent and sinister, this programme will pull you into the shadows before you've even had time to realise it. All I can say is, don't fight it - this is one underworld you need to be a part of.

Please comment if you have anything to add to this review of 'The Shadow Line'.

'Paul Merton's Birth of Hollywood' Review: because cinema deserves a history lesson

2011-05-28T16:10:00.003+01:00

Paul Merton's Birth of Hollywood (BBC2, Friday 27th May 2011)

Starring: Paul Merton

Genre: Factual, arts, culture and the media

Paul Merton travels to America to explore and chart the birth of the most dominant cinematic power: Hollywood. He sets out to discover how the early movie technology, the people flooding to American shores and field after field of orange groves evolved into the star-studded community and billion-dollar industry of today. If you love going to our modern cinemas, why not immerse yourself in the history of how they came to be? Paul Merton's is a documentary complete with clips of the racist masterpiece that helped to re-establish the Klu Klux Klan and cheeky snippets of our beloved Charlie Chaplin.

For those with a taste for movies, many may have already studied the history of the moving image. Many of us, it remains to be said, will have not - Merton to the rescue. Cinema is an incredible art form that has advanced at colossal speed in the space of just one hundred years. It has developed from the haphazard silent wonders of The Great Train Robbery (1903) to the dazzling 3D spectacle of James Cameron's Avatar (2009). From the somewhat restrictive Kinetiscope, the first technology that enabled a person to look into its box and see a short film, cinema has become one of the most beloved and accessible arts of the modern age.

In this documentary, Paul Merton has selected the best of early cinema to explore and explain the transformation of a small Southern American hamlet into the iconic location of Hollywood. Intrigued by how a prolific orange-growing community could become the place-to-be for aspiring film-workers, Merton looks at the people responsible for its modern status. His often-cheeky approach to the old greats (let's face it, those jerky old films might have been impressive in their day but a man wrestling a dead bird is only ever going to be funny) celebrates the men and women behind and in front of the early cameras.

Thanks to the devastation of the First World War, the Europeans (the leaders in the development of early cinema) were prevented from going any further with their cinematic ambitions in the first part of the twentieth century. This made room for the Americans to lay the foundations for future of film. As it turned out, many of the most prominent figures were immigrants having left Europe to escape persecution and poverty. Paul Merton looks into their lives and careers and reveals to us how the roles of the director, cameraman, actor and producer began to take shape. This is a great documentary with access to an array of early footage that is as much a delight to watch now as I'm sure it was then. The bonus is, we don't have to sit through the initial three hours of ham-acting and brick fights to get to the best bits - Merton's done it for us.

Catch the next episode of 'Paul Merton's Birth of Hollywood' next Friday at 9:30pm.

Moving on up!

2011-04-27T15:24:00.002+01:00

In the words of 90s sensation, M People - I'm movin' on up (in the world). I've been allowed to put pen to paper for another lovely blog - Best for Film (www.bestforfilm.com). Not only that, but they've now decided to put my ugly mug on there too. If you fancy taking a peak, the link is here:

http://bestforfilm.com/community/about-us/siobhan-burke/

I'm on page 2 of their community section - I think that's just about the best place to be. Well, it's better than being stuck on page 7 anyway. Click there to see some of my more recent reviews - including something involving Nick Clegg and a superhero gang (you know it'll be good).

They have lots of other cracking reviews and top notch film news stuff, so check em' out.

Top 10 things in film that you wish your eyes had never seen

2011-03-31T09:19:00.009+01:00

So we all know some films are built to give us the heebie-geebies and some just make us laugh trying. But how many are there that have done it so damn well we’ve cried into our pillows a big slobbery mess? Some just touch a nerve and others damn well grab it, rip it out and floss with it in front of us. Let’s examine such masterpieces of cinematic goosepimply goodness – be warned, as the title of this article suggests, in reading this you risk psychological and physical disturbance of the highest order. Oh, and there may well be spoilers.

10 – That nose-smashing stunt in Pan’s Labyrinth

Written and directed by Mexican film-maker Guillermo del Toro, Pan’s Labyrinth was a gem of fantastical weirdness. It might have fairies and fauns in it but this is anything but a fairytale. Interweaving the real world with some really messed up critters, main girl Ofelia (Ivana Baquero) has to complete three tasks to prove herself a princess. In the midst of all this is her evil stepfather (that’s right patriarchs, evil stepfather in this one – deal with it) who one night stumbles across two farmers lurking about his land. Naturally he beats one in the face with a bottle – a few swift downwards motions and the nose will apparently completely collapse in on itself. Lovely job.

9 – The eye-melting in Resident Evil

So it might be based on one of those new-fangled video game malarkies – personally I’m still trying to complete Sonic the Hedgehog on Sega Mega Drive – but Resident Evil (the film) had many moments that made me go a bit gooey inside. And not the good kind. Top of the list is the moment when the man with possibly the uncoolest name in showbiz – Colin Salmon – gets lasered to oblivion. His name is much cooler in the movie – a guy called ‘One’ is surely not to be messed with – but that laser just don’t care who’s hip and who ain’t. Eye-slicing laser: one. One: nil.

8 – Lawrence sawing off his own foot in ... well, Saw

Ok, so you could have picked just about any moment from one of the Jigsaw’s games for this one, but let’s go with the original shall we? Before the franchise got so ridiculously out-of-hand that the producers deserve to play the game themselves. I for one am very attached to my limbs, both physically and emotionally, and anyone with the will and ability to chop off one of their valuable appendages is pretty bloody mad. Nevertheless, Lawrence (Cary Elwes) with his foot chained to the wall of a bathroom, suddenly fears for the lives of his wife and daughter and finds himself succumbing to the Jigsaw’s mind games. The image of him crawling his way to the door still haunts me. If there’s one thing I’ve learnt from him and Aron Ralston, it’s that young children motivate you to get hacking. Lesson: don’t have kids. Or even think about having them. Especially in canyons and bathrooms.

7 – Two-Face in The Dark Knight

Ok, so we all wanted to wipe the smile off Harvey Dent’s (Aaron Eckhart) oh so perfect smug little face, but none of us actually wanted to wipe off his face. Nevertheless, the powers that be dictate that he must be disfigured and that he must become Two-Face. Possessing that lovely burned quality, his eye remains (in a way that defies all laws of physics) intact. And it’s that freaky bulging eyeball that makes me squirm every time. Someone get this guy a patch.

6 – James McAvoy being hung à la pig in the back of a butcher’s van in The Last King of Scotland

Now, why anyone would want to punish a face so cheekily Scottish is beyond me, but Idi Amin was a nasty bloke and so James McAvoy’s Nicholas Garrigan must suffer. When Garrigan travels to Uganda to do good with his newly acquired medical degree, he finds himself taking a job as personal physician to dictator Amin. Safe to say, he does more bad than good and gets a lesson in tribal African culture when he is hung, by his chest, with rusty meat hooks and hoisted up to the ceiling. Yum.

5 – Harry’s heroin fix in Requiem for a Dream

The first of two films from Darren Aronofsky to hit this list, this is definitely not one to see with your mum. Not only will your own mind be scarred for life, but your mother’s opinion of you surely will be as well – especially after you convinced her it was an intellectually stimulating film about the unfortunate products of addiction. The moment where Harry, desperate for his next fix, injects heroin into his gangrenous arm is sure to finish off anyone with a weak stomach – which reminds me, it might be as well not to eat lunch whilst reading this.

4 – The girl in The Grudge

Need I say more? The eyes, the noise, the crawling down the stairs and frightening the living bajesus out of everyone – this girl almost destroyed the very fabric of my being. American remake of Japanese film Ju-On: The Grudge, this version stars Sarah Michelle Gellar as Karen Davis, who inadvertently finds herself wrapped up in a horrific curse. Let’s face it, we all could have done without this one on a dark winter’s night – but at least it provides a pretty easy dressing up option for Halloween.

3 – Natalie Portman’s skin-peeling antics in Black Swan

A more recent one to add to the bank, Natalie Portman’s Oscar-winning role as Nina in Darren Aronofsky’s Black Swan gave us appropriate swan-pimples. As if one unfathomable mind-bending moment wasn’t enough, this film gave us many, all equally as gross and brain-churning as the last – with the added bonus of a couple of lesbian encounters thrown in for good measure. However, the crowning glory was that deliciously grim skin-peeling trick she performed on her middle finger. With her teeth. Cue squeamish howls resonating round the cinema.

2 – The shower scene in Psycho

All hail Hitchcock for laying the foundations of fear in the cinema. Iconic sixties magnum opus, the master of suspense instilled the there’s-something-behind-the-curtain-aphobia in almost every film fan in the world – and that’s fact. Shot entirely in black and white, the silent approach of the shadowy figure on the other side of the shower curtain was the simplest and the greatest way to have you hiding behind the sofa. One of the best moments in heebie-geebie history.

1 – Spike’s bum in Notting Hill

I’m just kidding. Everyone knows we wanted to see those buns – ‘Nice. Firm. Buttocks.’

Care to slap us in the face with some more psychologically skull-bashing, spine-tingling, stomach-churning greatness? Let us know and share your nightmares with the world.

Review of '127 Hours': The most fun you can have with your clothes on

2011-02-15T18:51:00.006Z

127 Hours (2010)

Directed by Danny Boyle

Starring James Franco, Amber Tamblyn, Kate Mara

Intense, gripping and just downright exciting - 127 Hours is the latest big screen venture by Danny Boyle, our much-loved, award-winning and cherished British director. Based on Between a Rock and a Hard Place, the biographical writings of American, Aron Ralston, this movie attempts to capture the horror of Ralston's famous accident. A keen mountaineer and general adrenaline junkie, Aron (James Franco) heads off to the Bluejohn Canyon on a typical adventure weekend. After a sudden fall, his arm becomes lodged beneath a boulder and Ralston has to fight for escape. Over 5 days Aron has to resist 'losing it' - rapidly running out of food, water and motivation this man has to rely on his lust for life to survive the terrifying ordeal. Oh, and he cuts off his own arm.

The opening of this film is brilliant. A Free Blood track explodes onto the screen with the vivacity and energy of Ralston's own character. The screen buzzes with modern city scenes, inescapable busyness - all the better for highlighting Aron's solitude, my dear, and the vast, awesome expanse of uninhabited canyon land that our man will eventually find himself trapped in. Lovely set up. We're kept on edge waiting for the crucial boulder moment - he trips, he slips but it's a little while before the fatal moment comes.

Franco's performance is incredible. It's one thing to have to hold a film almost entirely on your own, it's another to do that whilst you're stuck in a canyon with only one arm free. Aron's video camera allows him to revisit the regrets of his past, leaving tributes to the friends and family that he becomes prepared to leave behind. Franco beautifully delivers the frustration and desperation of Ralston's character - even though he is trapped, he is electrifying to watch. Ralston himself said in an interview, 'we have these very fundamental desires for freedom, for love and for connection. And that's what got me out.' And it's those fundamental desires that are impeccably communicated by James Franco.

Of course, we have to mention the fantastic show that is Ralston amputating his own arm. The pain and the determination are accompanied by an incredible score by A. R. Rahman that make it unsettling but not gruesome to watch. While you might find the uncontrollable urge to look away, you probably won't. We're with Ralston to the end, that means seeing the whole thing through - even if it makes you feel a little queasy.

I love this movie and it's a shame that Franco and Boyle have to live in the spectacular shadow of The King's Speech. Don't get me wrong, I loved Tom Hooper's movie as much as the next man, and I certainly harbor a more than unhealthy love for Colin Firth. However, I find myself sitting in Camp Franco for the Lead Actor Oscar and hope the film scoops some recognition at the awards. If you haven't seen this film already and you're looking for a thrill (well, the closest you can come without endangering your own right arm) then make a date with 127 Hours.

Please comment if you have anything to add to this review of '127 Hours'.

As it's February...

2011-02-09T20:04:00.004Z

... why not come up with a new idea? Yeah, I know that's not really a popular saying or even anything that might have been said before but as it's the beginning of the month(ish), I thought I'd start something afresh.

So, whilst having a leisurely chat with my friends the other day, I realised there are some fundamental movie-geek films that seem to have unwittingly passed me by. Don't panic - I've seen Star Wars. Things like The Godfather and The Italian Job - those movies that everyone quotes incessantly and that have become ingrained into our consciousness so deeply that they might as well be a part of us. I almost feel like I have seen them. But I haven't. And this must be fixed.

Here I vow each week henceforth to pick up and watch an iconic movie that I should have already seen. I'm not just gonna stick to the old codgers of the past, in fact I'm going to start with something from last year: A Single Man.

Directed by Tom Ford, A Single Man stars man-of-the-moment Colin Firth as British college professor, George Falconer. Yes, he's called George in this one too! A dark tale of a man haunted by the death of his soulmate, this film was tipped for all sorts of awards with Firth putting in an Oscar-worthy performance. Unfortunately, he was beaten - but he did win the BAFTA for Best Actor for this role so it can't be all bad. Described by Empire as 'a potent cocktail of style and substance' this was clearly a foolish film to have missed.

Excuse me while I add this notch to my cinematic bedpost.

'Kidnap and Ransom' TV Review: Reportedly Trevor Eve's baby

2011-01-14T13:24:00.005Z

Kidnap and Ransom (ITV1, Thursday 13th January 2011)

Starring: Trevor Eve, Emma Fielding, Helen Baxendale

Genre: Crime drama

Trevor Eve stars as professional hostage negotiator Dominic King in ITV's latest crime drama, Kidnap and Ransom. When a botanist gets taken hostage whilst on a trip to South Africa, Dom heads out to deal with it the way he always does. However, it soon becomes clear that this is no ordinary hostage situation, and if the woman is to be brought home alive Dom is going to have to seriously rethink his tactics. Explosive, fast-paced and with more twists and turns than a country lane, this is set only to get bigger and better in the next two episodes.

The acting is fantastic in this show. Eve is wonderfully dark and brooding, but in a soft, silent and controlled way. He's the family man facing that tricky dilemma of having to choose between the home and the job. Not that tricky for some but Dom is obviously drawn in and driven by the psychological thrill of working with the hostage takers - cue LOTS of chess imagery. The script is concise but buried within it are the unanswered questions needed to take us for a ride - be prepared for those aforementioned twists.

The first project for Eve's production company, Projector Pictures (in partnership with TalkbackTHAMES), it's a pretty exciting little début. The next episode airs Thursday 20th January, 9pm on ITV1 and I for one hope the strength of the first episode continues - I have so much faith that I think it'll be even better.

Please comment if you have anything to add to this review of 'Kidnap and Ransom'.

'The King's Speech' Review: Oscar-tipped, hugely anticipated, a big deal

2011-01-13T12:24:00.007Z

The King's Speech (2010)

Director: Tom Hooper

Starring: Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter

Haven't heard about The King's Speech? Well, unless you've been hiding under a rock for the last few weeks, of course you have. From the Oscar-worthy performance of Colin Firth to the touching delicacy of Tom Hooper's direction, The King's Speech is just about the most talked-about film of the moment. The story of King George VI as he tries desperately to overcome a crippling speech impediment, it might not seem like the most likely tale for a blockbuster movie. But this is one film certainly worthy of its regal hype.

The scene is the late 1920s and King George V is on the throne. However, second son Bertie (Colin Firth) and his wife, Elizabeth (Helena Bonham Carter), Duke and Duchess of York, are fully in the public eye doing all things Royal. However, thanks to Bertie's painfully bad stammer, public speaking is a nightmare for both him and his audience. Determined to cure him, Elizabeth approaches Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush), a less than orthodox speech therapist and from the moment he meets the Prince, so begins an odd, often turbulent, relationship. Soon to be a loving friendship.

Hooper kick-starts the film with a disastrously embarrassing speech from Prince Albert - struggling to get through the first sentence, it's like watching a child at their first nativity forget the one line they spent weeks learning ('No room at the inn' - obviously). It's heartbreaking and you're instantly on the side of team supreme, willing Bertie to get out his words. Nevertheless, the humour card is also played pretty swiftly in a scene involving Colin Firth with balls in his mouth - priceless. The film continues along these same lines, mixing emotional frustration with some good old fashioned one-liners - no mean feat when you consider our hero takes that bit longer to get to the punchline.

Firth, as predicted, gives us the performance of his career. Maintaining a regal strength and willingness to overcome the obstacle, there's also the ordinary human frustration, the lack of self-esteem, the loving family man and the prince fearful of looming responsibility. Bertie's brother, David (Guy Pearce) is a sort of mini-villain (ish) in that he seems determined to shunt Kingship onto his younger brother just so he can marry twice-divorced American, Wallis Simpson (Eve Best). But Bonham Carter's Elizabeth is the perfect proverbial rock to the stumbling Bertie.

Bonham Carter and Rush carry much of the film's humour. Bonham Carter's timing is impeccable and that well-to-do accent has never suited a character so well. Rush's Lionel Logue is warm and loveable and anyone who can make a royal swear so elegantly has a glorious thumbs up from me. Of course with the abdication of Edward VIII, comes the realisation of Bertie's horrors and some of the more moving scenes of the film follow as we get ever closer to Bertie's coronation as King George VI.

Since seeing the love for this film at the BFI London Film Festival in October, this has been on everyone's cinema wish list. Beautiful, sensitive and heart-warming, rooting for a royal has never been more fun in a story so wonderfully depicted. For Firth's performance, for Hooper's elegance and for all round great British drama, this is an easy 5 stars. Lovely.

Please comment if you have anything to add to this review of 'The King's Speech'.

Flying high with 'Bluebird'

2010-12-06T00:28:00.005Z

Bluebird by Simon Stephens

The Cockpit Theatre, London (23/11/2010)

Directed by Andrew Whyment

Vibrant, fast-paced and perfectly poised on the see-saw between abstract and reality, this performance of Bluebird brought to life the dirty depths of London with a fantastically fresh display of young talent. Tracking taxi driver Jimmy as he makes his way across the capital for one night, we begin to understand the world through the words of his ‘fares’ and learn the dark truth of our protagonist’s past.

The first striking thing about the performance is the set. Rubbish piled high amongst odd possessions and car parts topped with a single car seat make for Jimmy’s taxi – the taxi light above his head indicating whether it is occupied or not. Simple and unique, the set not only allowed the intimate space of the car to be opened up to the whole auditorium, it became the perfect metaphor for Jimmy’s life and proverbial baggage.

Each scene was interspersed with vivid scenes of city life. Flashing lights, high-tempo music and fast-paced movements from the cast reminded us of the world outside the taxi – while Jimmy contemplates his past, present and future, the rest of the world goes on without him. A clear indication that time was progressing, these interludes were entertaining, brilliantly choreographed and fitted naturally and neatly into the performance.

The cast captured their characters to their core. Each portraying a different aspect of London life, they all painted a poignant picture of troubled minds behind the exterior of routine and daily life. Garry Jenkins as Jimmy was brilliant at taking us through his complex emotions and his meeting with former wife Clare (Juliet Turner) provoked a particularly touching atmosphere that I’m sure was felt amongst many in the audience.

Adam Loxley should also be praised in his role as Richard, a London Underground engineer. His performance was one of the most natural and affecting throughout, whilst Rachel Chambers as Angela was vivid and entertaining and Michael Roebuck provided a funny and disturbing performance as Billy. Not forgetting director Andrew Whyment, a former student of the University of Reading, who showed real talent in pulling all the elements together in such an impressively imaginative way.

The first London revival of this play since its debut in 1998, Bluebird was a whirlwind of emotional highs and lows. From the bleak reality of city-life to moments of genuine (if dark) humour, this was one of the most impressive, entertaining and exciting performances of the recent stage.

Please comment if you have anything to add to this review of 'Bluebird'.

Someone wasn't paying attention in assembly...

2010-11-29T19:15:00.003Z

Is it just me or is this the worst Christmas card ever made?

Not only is there a distinct lack of the three wise men and the donkey, but since when was there a rabbit in Bethlehem? Serious artistic fail.

Anyway, just thought I'd share this in the run up to the festive season.

2010-11-27T12:01:00.003Z

Krapp's Last Tape

Written by Samuel Beckett

The Duchess Theatre, London (18/11/2010)

The story of an old man, alone and decrepit, bitter about but longing for his younger self by listening to the sound of his own voice. These are the bare essentials of Krapp's Last Tape. Painstakingly slow and strangely unsettling, the leading and only man onstage, Krapp (Michael Gambon) revisits his past by listening to his own taped diary entries.

The stage is virtually bare - just a desk with a single bulb above an old man's wiry haired head. Collapsed across the desk is Krapp. He remains there for so long that you begin to wonder whether the character is alive or dead. The silence is so unbearable you want to laugh. And this is how the first half of the play pans out. No speech, just Gambon as he moves about the stage as if witnessing it for the first time.

There are some hilarious moments with some bananas, as in a puerile and monkey-like manner, this old man finds some immature pleasure in the phallic fruit. Well.. don't we all! Gambon is magnificent in the role, creating incredible tension amidst the audience interspersed with moments of genuine laughter and others of something close to fear.

The performance is dark, with minimal light creating the sense of that inevitable darkness that will soon smother the ageing Krapp. The recordings of his younger self reveal someone more lively but almost equally troubled. As past and present play out in front of us, it's apparent that Krapp was doomed to become lost and alone. True to Beckett, you could say nothing happens in this short 45 minute performance. But you could also say that crammed into it, everything happens.

We hear a young man and see the old man that he has become and in that witness some 30 years of his life. And within that, we see the next 30 - his spools of tape evidently his last remaining comfort for a man stuck in routine, waiting for the lights to go out.

Please comment if you have anything to add to this review of 'Krapp's Last Tape'.

Happy happy happy

2010-11-12T10:53:00.003Z

So, recently Fate has dished me out 3 healthy doses of good luck.

Number 1 - my online Asda shop showed up late. Doesn't sound lucky? Well, they refunded my order AND delivered my goods. And free shopping definitely is.

Number 2 - I dropped my bagel on the floor and it landed butter side up! Maybe the toast rule doesn't apply to bagels?

Number 3 (and this is the best) - I won a prize!

Courtesy of Jameson Cult Film Club on Twitter (@JamesonCultFilm) I have won this:

Whiskey, hoodies and movies - what student wouldn't be happy? So, I'd just like to take this opportunity to share this with you, dear readers, and to thank Jameson Cult Film - I mean, Psycho on Blu-ray? You have seriously excelled yourself. So thank you on this blustery day for providing me with something to keep me warm and tingly - don't worry, I'll make sure I wait til midday before I take a sip with Hitchcock.

A day at the festival

2010-10-28T13:51:00.007+01:00

54^th BFI London Film Festival

Thursday 21^st October

There’s nothing like a new movie to get us film lovers all a-jitter – so imagine the hype when the BFI London Film Festival comes to town. Now in its 54^th year, this festival showcases the best in new cinema from across the globe, mixed with Q&A sessions with writers and directors as well as whole host of other movie-based experiences. With film screenings open to all, it was almost impossible to resist hopping across to the Capital to catch a glimpse of the festival in action.

I headed to Leicester Square where I was booked to see Another Year, directed by Mike Leigh of Secrets and Lies fame. The film stars Jim Broadbent (Hot Fuzz) and Ruth Sheen (Vera Drake) as Tom and Gerri (and yes, the link to the cartoon is picked up on), a kindly couple heading for old age. As the title suggests, the narrative takes place in one year, specifically focusing on the events of each season – carefully tracked via the couple’s allotment.

The film is a beautiful one, with many moments hilarious and others incredibly uncomfortable to watch. The final image of Mary (Lesley Manville) is one that Leigh forces upon us for an unnatural length of time ending the film on a melancholy note. The movie deals with social insecurity, loneliness and deep dissatisfaction with life. But, it’s not all doom and gloom – to counterbalance the rather depressive outlook on life, there are many moments where love, stability and friendship prevail.

Broadbent’s performance is natural and warm, but Sheen’s is somewhat more stilted. Manville is impressive in the role of Mary, so much so that she’ll have you both loving and hating her character. Try loving her – she deserves it really.

After the screening, Mike Leigh came in to the auditorium for a quick Q&A. The conviction with which he defended the motives of his work was inspiring. All of his films are created through a process of improvisation, essentially starting with little more than an idea but ending up with a very precise script. This film is no exception – it allowed Leigh to explore both loneliness and togetherness as well as the ‘tragedy and the reality’ of those who are simply lucky or unlucky.

Ultimately, this film won’t be to everyone’s taste, but if you like an honest, gentle depiction of daily life, this one’s for you. Plus, Mike Leigh fans will not be disappointed.

So that brings me to my final experience – seeing the stars. It’s common knowledge that if you see the red carpet rolled out in Leicester Square you don’t just walk past it. No, you jam yourself against the nearest barrier and take photos of every tinted-windowed car that pulls up as it might just be someone famous. As luck would have it, 21^st October was the London premiere of The King’s Speech, directed by Tom Hooper. Starring Colin Firth as King George VI, the movie tells the touching true tale of a monarch overcoming a crippling speech impediment during the turbulent times of World War Two. With the likes of Helena Bonham Carter and Geoffrey Rush starring alongside Mr Firth, the red carpet was well and truly star-studded. The King’s Speech is due to hit cinemas in January and there are whispers of Oscar nominations a-plenty, so it’s definitely one to watch.

The whole afternoon was an atmosphere to remember – a real melange of students, movie lovers, actors and directors all turning out to celebrate truly great film. It’s an arty atmosphere, without feeling too pretentious, and I can safely say that I have never before been to a cinema where I have overheard one man introducing his friend to another as ‘the man who directed the film’. If you didn’t get a chance to go to this year’s BFI London Film Festival, pencil it into your diary for next year – it’s an event not to be missed.

Please comment if you have anything to add to this report on the London Film Festival.

I think I died a bit...

2010-10-25T22:53:00.002+01:00

So, on Thursday (yes, it's taken me this long to get over it) I saw actual Colin Firth in the flesh. Ok, so I was forced to remain behind a steel barrier for the duration of our meeting, but I still like to think we had a connection.

To put this meeting into context, I was in London for the 54th BFI London Film Festival to see Mike Leigh's new film, Another Year. There was a bit of Q&A with said director, enlightening, and then (like all good film/Firth lovers) I hung around Leicester Square to await the arrival of the stars.

It was the première of Tom Hooper's The King's Speech, a movie telling the touching tale of how King George VI overcame a crippling speech impediment. With the likes of Helena Bonham-Carter and Geoffrey Rush sharing the screen with Mr Firth, it was fair to say there was a decent crowd lining the edges of the red carpet. It was an awesome and an odd experience. It just feels a bit peculiar to find out those of the big screen are actually normal-sized humans and that they do in fact mingle with normal folk from time to time.

Naturally, I will be reviewing Another Year in the coming week, but unfortunately, The King's Speech isn't out til January. My good friend Colin looks set to be nominated for an Oscar for it, though, so it's well worth scheduling into your cinematic diary.

Just a little note to self: must remember not to be so star-struck when am hot-headed journalist allowed to mingle with popular people. Something I still maintain will happen in the future.

The Minister for general mayhem

2010-10-17T17:27:00.005+01:00

Classic Film Review: Michael Collins (1996)

Directed by Neil Jordan

Michael Collins the man was one of the most iconic heroes in Ireland’s troubled history. Developing extremely successful guerrilla tactics, instilling fear in the British as the man responsible for ‘gun-running, daylight robbery and general mayhem’, his campaign eventually led to the negotiation of the Anglo-Irish Treaty in 1921. However, as the man who signed the Treaty, which allowed the partition of Ireland, Collins was regarded as a traitor by those that opposed the agreement. Eventually, this led to Michael Collins’ assassination.

Neil Jordan’s film tells the incredible story of Collins and the IRA from the Easter Rising in 1916 through to the statesman’s death. Oscar and BAFTA nominated, Michael Collins is a beautiful and dramatic piece of cinema and you don’t need knowledge of Irish history to enjoy it. However, upon release the film was subjected to wide criticism. Historians claimed the film was inaccurate, whilst British critics condemned the violent depiction of British auxiliary soldiers occupying Ireland. Nevertheless, the film was a huge success in Ireland and became quite a public affair as calls for extras were met with thousands of Irish people eager to re-enact their past.

The cast of the movie is undoubtedly star-studded. Liam Neeson produces an electrifying performance in the title role, which earned him the Venice Film Festival Best Actor Award. Unusually, Jordan didn’t exclusively use Irish actors for the starring roles, with Aidan Quinn and Julia Roberts swapping their American accents for surprisingly convincing Irish ones. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for Alan Rickman. Whilst his performance is fantastic as the almost anti-heroic Sinn Fein leader, Eamon de Valera, his accent leaves a little to be desired. Julia Roberts could also be considered an odd choice for this movie as amidst the rough Irish backdrop she oozes Hollywood glamour. Nevertheless, you can’t deny that she provides a great onscreen character as Kitty Kiernan.

Michael Collins is dark, perfectly capturing the gloomy, perilous and troubled times of early twentieth century Ireland. Borrowing elements of the gangster genre, the movie shows uncompromising, raw violence mingled with political struggle. From the assassination of Irish officials to jailbreaks and the murder of innocent civilians, the lifetime of Collins was filled with death and destruction. However, the violence condoned by Collins is all in pursuit of peace and the establishment of a new, free Ireland.

Regardless of historical inaccuracies, Jordan’s film provides an insight into the man behind the Irish Free State, the IRA and the shaping of some of Ireland’s most significant historical moments. Dramatic, passionate and dangerous, Michael Collins is a movie to remember.

Please comment if you have anything to add to this review of 'Michael Collins'.

Countryfile eat your heart out

2010-09-29T15:13:00.006+01:00

Been doing a spot of foraging since my return to the countryside last week. Check out the goodies I've collected...

I would have collected more blackberries but the dog wouldn't let me linger for long before she decided to run off. I ate a walnut, but it was pretty rubbish, figured maybe they have to mature or dry out or something before I start nibbling them. Crushing the shells is satisfying nonetheless. Like popping bubblewrap.

Check out this blighter of a blackberry as well (pictured in between a normal sized blackberry and a walnut to emphasise its greatness).

I realise I may have to get back to uni soon before this countryside behaviour advances to become anything more serious. Like being able to identify the poo of a lesser spotted badger or wearing tweed.

Fantastic, it's elementary

2010-09-25T16:10:00.004+01:00

Sherlock, BBC 1 August 2010

BBC dramas tend to make it or break it with the British public but many have quickly become the love of our TV hearts. Luckily, Sherlock is no exception with the captivating eyes of Benedict Cumberbatch taking centre screen as the eponymous detective.

2010’s reinvention of Arthur Conan Doyle’s quirky hero takes a refreshing new stance, with the Victorian tales being told in the present day. Far from ruining the original, the classic characters fit delightfully well into modern London. Martin Freeman’s Dr Watson is an Afghanistan veteran and mobiles and computers frequently feature in this modern adaptation, both aiding Holmes’ terrific deduction and Moriarty’s dastardly deeds.

The star of the show, Cumberbatch, delivered a suitably electrifying performance as Sherlock Holmes. He managed to maintain the necessary balance between brilliant and bonkers that makes the detective so exciting to watch. Obvious delight at being confronted with a serial killer in the first episode, to those infamous character assessments, Cumberbatch kept the pace and has paved (well, re-paved) the way for a long-lasting and loveable character.

Fortunately, the well-known disputes over Sherlock’s sexuality and drug habits were far from forgotten in this version. Watson’s consistent uncomfortable remarks over his relationship with Holmes added the right dose of humour to their otherwise odd coupling. Whilst in the absence of cigarettes, alcohol or anything a bit stronger, Holmes took to nicotine patches to get the necessary fix for his bizarre thoughts.

Sherlock is stylish, exciting and, like a clichéd fine wine, will inevitably improve with age. By that I mean the second series looks set to be just as fantastic as the first, with each of these episodes being superior to the last. Admittedly, it feels rather Doctor Who-ish (it’s bound to as the programme’s writers, Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, both worked on the hit sci-fi show) but personally I think Sherlock is better. The final instalment of this series leaves you on one heck of a cliff hanger and introduces the mysterious Moriarty in a pretty tense show-down. This year’s villain is impressive, as suave as Bond but just about as evil as all of the double-O’s enemies put together.

I do have one teensy tiny problem with this programme though – the music. Excuse me if I’m wrong, but this programme’s score is just one note away from being an exact copy of that of Guy Ritchie’s recent film starring Robert Downey Jr as Holmes. I only know because I loved Hans Zimmer’s composition for this film and actually listened to it on repeat for far too many weeks, much to the dismay of my housemates. Such is the life of a film-lover.

Other than that (and, I admit, a slightly weak villain in the otherwise great first episode) Sherlock hits all the right notes to become the latest BBC success. Freeman is the perfect awkward counterpart to Cumberbatch’s confident and wacky hero, with the rest of the show coming together to create something unique but in keeping with the spirit of Conan Doyle’s creation. I only hope the next series lives up to some high expectations.

Local heroes of the community stage

2010-07-31T09:27:00.004+01:00

Dad's Army
A stage production by Rye Players (15/07/10)
Rye Community Centre, Rye, East Sussex

Last week, Rye Players brought to life one of Britain's best loved comedies - Dad's Army. The company performed three episodes from the hit TV series, with all the well known characters present. There was a lot to live up to in recreating such a popular programme, but Rye Players did well, with many of the actors looking and performing like their cherished originals.

The first of the three episodes, 'The Deadly Attachment' was a chance to see the main characters at their best. Andy Godfrey stepped into his own as the authoritarian idiot, Captain Mainwaring, with Ian Saxton's charming Sergeant Wilson silently saving the day. Richard Whymark was also on form as the loveable Private Pike, getting many laughs throughout the evening.

One stand-out player was Aubrey Sinden as Lance Corporal Jones, who shone throughout the show as the enthusiastic war veteran. Sinden not only looked and sounded much like the character we all know, but he made Jones his own by delivering his lines with conviction and superb comic timing to create that bumbling bravery that the Lance Corporal is famous for. His performance was funny and charismatic and it was a joy to watch.

Peter Spencer also excelled as Private Frazer. Spencer's mannerisms captured the strangeness of the Scottish soldier, and even if you couldn't quite understand what he'd said those weird and wild eyes were enough to make you giggle!

The ladies had a chance to showcase their talent in the Players' second episode, 'Mum's Army'. They all performed well, but Amy Shortman was particularly delightful as Mrs Gray and the bolshy Mrs Fox was wonderfully played by Clare Murray.

Praise goes to all the actors and crew for creating a great evening of entertainment. Well done especially to director, Carol Prior, for managing to recreate the old favourites on a small community stage. Credit also goes to whoever made Wilson's horse, which very nearly stole the show!

Please comment if you have anything to add to this review of 'Dad's Army'.
'Rye Observer' 23/07/10

It's the end of the world and it's great

2010-05-18T11:22:00.010+01:00

A Thousand Stars Explode in the Sky - Simon Stephens, David Eldridge and Robert Holman
Directed by Sean Holmes
Lyric Hammersmith, London (15/05/2010)

The Lyric Hammersmith's latest production is a unique collaboration of three successful modern playwrights. The voices of Simon Stephens, David Eldridge and Robert Holman blend wonderfully to create a simple, stylish and raw new play that looks at the impact of the end of the world on an increasingly disparate family. Fusing moments of chilling discomfort with heart-wrenching warmth, this albeit slightly odd production presents a refreshing display of optimism that is rarely seen on the modern stage.

First of all, I've often found 'end-of-the-world' stories a little bit disappointing. They either portray absolute mass human hysteria, sometimes pacified by a sort of alien intervention, or handle it in a comic 'and then I woke up and it was all a dream' kind of way. Well, this time it really does happen. A cosmic strip has been identified by physicists who have confirmed that the earth will be destroyed in three weeks time. The idea is simple, slightly beyond comprehension but believable and gives the playwrights enough time to really explore the effects of such a disaster.

The scene is modern England and five brothers ranging from grandad to schoolboy face the reality of the end of the world. But, the physics is not important, nor is the effect on the globe. Rightly, the focus is on the family and the five brothers. Fortunately the five actors playing the roles gave perfect performances. Harry McEntire as the young Philip was one of the best - his cheeky and optimistic character added a certain warmth to the otherwise darkly disturbed family. Another young actor, Rupert Simonian, was equally bright and compelling as another brother's grandson.

A weak spot in the play came with the strange mix of flashback and time travel that Philip seemed to undergo at times. It was unclear whether he was psychic, dreaming or just plain loopy but the weird addition of historic adultery amongst the family ancestors was disorientating to say the least. The outbursts of anger from the mother of the family played by Ann Mitchell also felt awkward and out of character.

That said, overall the play dealt with the family in a poignant and moving manner. And instead of an explosive end, the final scene was a more suitable sedate affair that nevertheless hit just as hard. The bare stage and raw performances showed the writers doing what they do best - A Thousand Stars Explode in the Sky is about the words and the people, not the show.

Please comment if you have anything to add to this review of 'A Thousand Stars Explode in the Sky'.

A cracking evening of Ayckbourn

2010-05-16T22:24:00.004+01:00

Intimate Exchanges - 'A Gardener in Love'

Alan Ayckbourn

The Progress Theatre, Reading (24/04/10)

Intimate Exchanges is a remarkable piece of drama with a series of comic scenes leading to a total of 16 different possible endings. In this play, Ayckbourn highlights how the minor decisions we make in our lives can have much greater consequences. The Progress Theatre chose to perform two different situations; 'A Gardener in Love' and 'The Self-Improving Woman' and although I only saw the first of the two, I've no doubt they were both equally brilliant.

'A Gardener in Love' focuses on Mrs Celia Teasdale, stuck with an inattentive, ungrateful husband whilst being relentlessly pursued by her young gardener. It is a comic tale, despite the dark undertones, with hilarious dialogue and lively, likeable characters.

Two actors took on the four roles in this production and they certainly pulled it off! Tonya Walton was fabulously on form as the neurotic, self-conscious middle-aged woman Celia, as well as the grumpy, young girl Sylvie Bell. She effortlessly slipped in and out of the two characters that were polar opposites of one another. Her role as Celia demanded a batch of ill-timed hiccups and eating a lot of sandwiches amongst other things, all of which she handled wonderfully, as well as creating comedy in all the right moments.

Dan Clarke was both Celia's husband and the eponymous gardener in love, Lionel Hepplewick. Clarke was exceptional in both roles, creating a distinct 20 year age gap between his two characters that led to many audience members not recognising that he was the same person. His role as Toby Teasdale was incredibly funny and he must be commended for an amazingly well-delivered rant on ten things that can drive a man to drink! Clarke had the audience laughing for the majority of his time onstage as Toby - the frustrated, middle-class character was truly entertaining to watch.

With just two actors performing there were inevitably some quick costume changes, but they were swift and effective (except for the odd forgivable pause). The costume itself included a couple of oddly obvious wigs but even they seemed to suit the actors well - Walton's big hair was a great compliment to Sylvie's girl-with-an-attitude character. However, the real quality came from the acting as both Walton and Clarke proved they had the ability to carry off diverse characters, living up to all the demands of an unusual and challenging play.

It was obvious that director Geoff Dallimore had managed to pick out the best of Ayckbourn's comedy, and it shone through the two actors. Progress Theatre's version of Intimate Exchanges was a great evening's entertainment and, depsite a somewhat saddening ending, the show was full of enough laughs to send you home with a smile. I can't urge you enough to go and see a show at the Progress, they always surprise and haven't disappointed me yet.

Please comment if you have anything to add to this review of 'Intimate Exchanges'.

Ahem. May?

2010-05-05T13:34:00.004+01:00

Just as I start blogging about beautiful sunshine look what happens:

This is meant to be May and that is a proper black, black cloud. Luckily I was inside before it chucked it down and, yes, that is part of my university. Swish eh? Well, sadly most of us students aren't allowed in there. The majority of our buildings are run down, architecturally crazy buildings from the 60s.

On the subject of university, everyone is bored and highly strung at the moment, what with exams 'n' all! So, using the house blackboard I decided to pay tribute to the one thing keeping me going:

A piece of advice to all those students out there - in these times of strife, don't neglect your cup of tea. It won't let you down.

The feel good power of the 70s

2010-04-30T16:39:00.005+01:00

Cemetery Junction (2010)

Directed by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant

The scene is 1970s Reading, where three young men must face the (not so grim) reality of growing up. Bruce (Tom Hughes), bitter about his family and embracing youth, occasionally clashes with the more ambitious Freddie (Christian Cooke) whilst the kooky Snork (Jack Doolan) completes the young trio in this brilliant coming-of-age drama. Mixing comedy with the frustration of being stuck in a dead-end society, this is the ultimate feel-good film of 2010.

When Freddie tries to break away from the factory trade, he takes up a job as a life insurance salesman under the guidance of Mike Ramsay (Matthew Goode). His feelings towards the job are complicated by his moral principles as well as his love for the boss's daughter (incidentally Mike's fiancee). Best friend Bruce vents his frustrations at his parents' divorce with girls, booze and fighting, which sees him hurting himself and those around him. Together with Snork, the pair are polar-opposites but gel well to create a great comic duo with the funniest lines of the film.

The snappy, dry and hilarious dialogue has an obvious Gervais/Merchant flair, but (and speaking as no fan of Ricky Gervais) it comes alive through the young actors in a way that distracts from its well-known writers to embody its own wittiness and humour. Together with a great 70s soundtrack, this film gets the idealistic image of youth just right - it is touching and human, managing to ditch the cheesy element that some coming-of-age dramas just can't shake. Filled with fabulous moments of cringe-worthy mistakes, frustrating silences and heart-warming friendships, this movie creates a bit of nostalgia for the youth we sometimes leave behind.

As far as the 70s culture goes, Gervais and Merchant only scrape the surface of what life was like back then. The backdrop is clear enough with casual racism a common occurrence in the company of Freddie's family and the social expectations of 'get married, buy a house and have kids' at the forefront of the young minds. Although it doesn't go any further than this it doesn't have to. More poignant moments come at the insurance company's work party, which paints a heart-breaking image of unrewarded old age, snippets of stale youth and the dead-end world of an almost forgotten wife. Ralph Fiennes shines here as Mr Kendrick, boss of the insurance firm and ultimate slimy, ungrateful wotsit.

Gervais and Merchant have their on screen moments - Gervais as Freddie's factory-working father and Merchant as another employee of the Kendrick insurance firm. Both are funny in their small roles without stealing the limelight from the three main actors.

There is a definite carpe diem feel to this film that will make you leave the cinema wanting to drop everything and do something. Full of heart-breaking and heart-warming moments that will make you want to laugh and cry, this movie hits all the right notes when it comes to coming-of-age drama. With exceptionally likeable characters, a predictable but well-written narrative and more male eye-candy than you can shake a stick at (I promise girls, they are perfection) this refreshing comedy can and will be enjoyed by everyone.

Please comment if you have anything to add to this review of 'Cemetery Junction'.

And that's why I love warm weather...

2010-04-29T17:27:00.004+01:00

The shorts are out, the sunnies are on and everyone's just feeling generally jolly!

After those long, dreary (and snowy) winter months the sun is definitely more welcome than it's been in a long time... well, probably since last summer! But I just thought I'd blog my own personal appreciation to that big flaming ball in the sky. And, with the days feeling a bit warmer it's inspired me to grab life by the haunchbones (revising medieval literature permits me the odd archaic expression) and go for everything that's chucked at me.

So... in the last 5 days I've pretty much maxed out my overdraft and signed off every last penny of my student loan to a kick-ass summer. I now have an officially awesome reason to get through my exams - South Africa! 3 weeks in September will see me travelling across the country with my housemate taking us from Johannesburg to Durban and hopefully even Cape Town - that means my friend has plenty of travelling hours in which to trick/convince me into doing something life-threatening. On the agenda so far is bungee-jumping, swimming with sharks (er.. no thank you!) and deep-sea diving.

Ok, so maybe I don't want to grab everything by the haunchbones - but that's only because it carries the risk of being either mauled or splattered across a rock 100ft below me.

But it will be my last student summer and I want it to be a belter, so I fully intend to have fun. A lot. Plus, I saw the movie Cemetery Junction last night and there is no better inspiration for travelling (stayed tuned for the review). Brace yourself world, the warm weather's gone to my head and the fun times begin today.

Right, I'm off to do a Step, Butts and Guts class and then to watch the final leaders' debate in the pub. Mmmm... politics and beer.

Almost Wonderful Wonderland

2010-04-20T17:57:00.005+01:00

Alice in Wonderland (2010)

Directed by Tim Burton

Tim Burton's latest project sees the now 19-year-old Alice returning to Wonderland to fulfil her dreamy destiny and defeat the Red Queen. In true Burton style, it is weird, wacky and wonderful, full of imaginative treats to satisfy any fan. This film was set to be a hit with its star-studded cast and much-loved director, as well as being one of the many 3D movies now hitting our screens - however, for all it's CGI beauty and wonderful performances, I couldn't help but feel a bit let down by this one.

Based on the books by Lewis Carroll, the plot is simplistic and can be summed up pretty swiftly. Grown up Alice runs from a marriage proposal put to her by a weirdo aristocrat. She follows the White Rabbit (again), falls into Wonderland/Underland (again) and walks around meeting more familiar faces until she takes up her role as 'Champion' to defeat the Jabberwocky. The plot is also what makes the film feel just average - where it captures Carroll's visual imagination, it lacks his wacky story-telling. There's nothing spectacularly unique about Burton's version of the story, we always know where it's going and it seems that this film is just a showcase of talented acting and clever design.

That said, the acting is worth showcasing. Helena Bonham Carter is stunning as the spoilt Red Queen, her digitally bulbous head making her fantastically and weirdly frightening. Anne Hathaway is equally as charming as Bonham Carter's counterpart, the White Queen, bringing a bit of humour to this otherwise 'oh so nice' character. There is obviously the fabulous Johnny Depp to keep us entertained as always, the perfect image of the Mad Hatter (though there are many similarities with Pirates of the Caribbean's Jack Sparrow). The recognisably wise voices of Alan Rickman and Stephen Fry complete the picture and their familiarity and talent alone is enough to make you want to love this film.

But there's just something about it that makes the whole movie feel a bit stop-start. Rather than following Alice, we seem to jump from famous face to famous face and enjoy them each a little bit at a time. The ending is nothing spectacular and everything about the film that is to be commended was inevitably going to be so. Although you can't knock the talent behind such a film (the CGI is seamless and creates some fantastic visuals) perhaps it's time Tim Burton challenged himself by making something a bit more fresh-faced... you know.. with a few fresh faces.

Of course, this Disney picture makes for some good family viewing with a series of goodies and baddies to entertain. Nevertheless, a poor script and often a lack of excitement plague the film as a whole. Three stars makes this movie worth watching, but you could afford to wait for the DVD. Whether 3D or 2D, this film remains the same - and that is simply average. It will satisfy the fans of Burton's unique creativity but it just needs a little bit more story-telling 'umph' to make it a great film.

Please comment if you have anything to add to this review of 'Alice in Wonderland'.

No ordinary superhero, no ordinary movie

2010-04-12T16:26:00.005+01:00

Kick-Ass (2010)

Directed by Matthew Vaughn

With the hype surrounding Kick-Ass, I had pretty high expectations of this ‘comic-book movie with a difference’ – an ordinary boy taking on the world in a wetsuit, Nicholas Cage in a comedy and a young girl that has no qualms with bad-ass murder and the ‘C’ word had better be entertaining. Safe to say, I was not disappointed.

As teenage vigilante Dave Lizewski (Aaron Johnson) tries to tackle the bad guys, fighting crime and teenage desire all in one day, he ends up getting caught in a vendetta that takes his superhero-ing way outside of his normal business hours.

Kick-Ass follows Dave, who is, as he explains, not the funny one, not the geeky one, not the popular one, but in the usual high-school style, completely invisible to girls. He wonders why anyone who hasn’t been bitten by something radioactive or fallen from space has never tried to become a superhero. So, he orders a nice green and yellow lycra number from the Internet and goes out in search of some crime.

Now, as we all know, no one has ever tried to become a superhero because a) it’s dangerous and b) it’s hard. So after a run in with some proper violence (a knife and a car to be precise) Dave returns with metal plates and damaged nerve endings to become the Kick-Ass that actually kicks ass – well, sort of.

No review of this movie would be complete without a mention of Hit-Girl (Chloe Moretz) and Big Daddy (Nicholas Cage). The father-daughter duo are responsible for the best scenes of the film for both dialogue and the infamous violence. Big Daddy is out to avenge his wife’s death by destroying the corporation of Frank D’Amico (Mark Strong) and killing everyone that is a part of it. He has trained up his 11-year-old daughter, Mindy, to become Hit-Girl and together they wreak havoc on the biggest villain of the town. Foul-mouthed Hit-Girl is a great on screen presence with stunning comic timing, insane talent with a knife and two of the best killing sequences of the film, one of which is done in strobe lighting and is, in every way, the meaning of ‘cool’.

This movie is obviously conscious of the comic-book films and superheroes that have gone before it – Big Daddy, is practically Batman remodelled and Dave’s metal plates are clearly a nod towards Wolverine. But that doesn’t make it bad. Vaughn sticks these references in to good effect, reminding us of all the great superheroes that we love and just how weedy, yet so heroic, Dave’s Kick-Ass really is.

The second half of the film definitely rules over the first, which sometimes feels a little slow – but that’s not to say that the build up is boring. There are some great comedy moments between Dave and his friends, and remarks from Hit-Girl are even funnier. Plus, it wouldn’t be a comic-book movie without the romance, and so the story occasionally abandons Kick-Ass to follow Dave and his dream girl, who, believing he is gay, allows him to do things that he could previously only dream of. So, despite the awesomeness of Hit-Girl and Big Daddy, Vaughn ensures you always want to follow Kick-Ass by reminding us that he’s just ordinary – a standard hero, fighting crime, but always home in time to get a good eight hours before school.

This film is awesome, insane and offers moments to make you wince with stunning and stylish violence that (unlike as some people would have you believe) doesn’t make you want to pick up your mum’s bread knife and start throwing at people. Sleek and cool but with that element of the real that other superhero movies lack, this is one to see.

(4 Stars)

Please comment if you have anything to add to this review of 'Kick-Ass'

Nothing to Declare - Except a Great Film...

2010-02-28T22:28:00.009Z

Up in the Air
Directed by Jason Reitman, 2010.

From the director of the much loved, Juno, comes Jason Reitman's next popular project, Up in the Air. Featuring the suave George Clooney alongside Anna Kendrick and Vera Farmiga, this story of life with no baggage, emotional or otherwise, is a telling view of a modern world where 'moving is living' and staying grounded just isn't an option.

Ryan Bingham (Clooney) is a corporate downsizer, ie. he fires people for a living. He spends 99% of his time in the air and on the road, carrying all he needs in one small, wheeled suitcase. He has no friends, his family have seemingly given up hope of seeing and contacting him and the executive lifestyle of every travel and accommodation loyalty programme is all Ryan needs. However, when new technology and a high-flying, rising star of the corporate downsizing world threaten that perfect lifestyle, Bingham is forced to confront what life might be like on the ground.

This film is a gem of entertainment, with excellent acting to suit a brilliant script alongside the quick cuts and slick directing of Reitman. The witty dialogue between the characters provides a smooth ride through this realistic setting and the humour that is undoubtedly needed to balance the bleak reality of Bingham's lifestyle.

Ryan is clearly a character made for Clooney - only he could convince us that the itinerant life of a corporate downsizer might be a good one. His good looks and smooth speech create a sympathy for what is ultimately an isolated character. Anna Kendrick also excels as the young Natalie providing a witty counterpart to Bingham. The two characters create the perfect balance between old and young, man and woman, the emotionally attached and the detached. With only a loose storyline actually driving the film forwards, it is these two, as well as Farmiga as Alex, that keep us watching on, waiting to see how their lives pan out in relation to one another.

Cinematically, this film is beautiful - a great soundtrack mixed with well-edited shots that highlight Bingham's corporate lifestyle come together for some great viewing. The acting can't be faulted, and with some great cameos interspersed, you'll be hooked on the dialogue alone. The love story is unconventional and the storyline feels like a snippet of reality rather than the traditional beginning, middle and end - but this doesn't mean a bad movie. Up In the Air will leave you thinking about what is important in life and contemplating whether those things that 'tie you down' are really keeping you grounded - ultimately, it'll leave you with that cliched 'fuzzy feeling' that you've just watched something different, something great and something cinematically fresh.

Please comment if you have anything to add to this review of 'Up in the Air'.

Re-Building Broken Britain with Broken Hearts

2010-01-23T23:49:00.005Z

Small Island - Andrea Levy

Award-winning novel, Small Island, is the moving tale of the black and white divide between people in England shortly after World War II. Following four characters, two Jamaican, two English, Levy explores the effects of the war, the disillusionment of those seeking a better life in Britain and the difficulties of love and prejudice.

Recently made into a BBC TV series, Small Island has recently received a new lease of life. The novel was critically acclaimed upon its initial release, but the popularity of TV has allowed people to rediscover this wonderful book.

Split into chapters told from the point of view of the four main characters, reading about their hopes, fears and darkest secrets alligns you strangely with none of them. You learn to love them as you share their experiences but you also can't help but dislike a little aspect of each one of them; one's stubborness, another's grumpiness and some pretentiousness force you to look at what is surrounding these characters. Levy looks at the difficulties post-war Britain faced as it simultaneously tried to rebuild itself as well accepting the new arrivals from overseas.

Nevertheless, this book feels far from preachy as it is not entirely focused on racism. The most striking element of the novel is not just the difficulty that people of different races had with loving and liking each other, Levy also looks at the problems that men and women must overcome in order to love one another. The two women of the story, Hortense from Jamaica and Queenie from England make tough, selfish and selfless decisions throughout their lives and still struggle to live with the men they marry. Yet, despite appearances, their ability to love links these two incredibly different women forever in a way they can never realise.

It is Levy's ability to divulge the characters' secrets to her readers, but not to the other characters themselves that makes this the beautiful story that it is. Sometimes you feel that if everyone told the truth, everything would become clearer and more simple - of course, life is rarely that easy. This novel is steeped in reality and the author subtly proves that bigger issues, as well as pure human nature, sometimes get in the way of the truth. Social obligations mould these characters whether they fight against them or not and it is the truth about post-war society that is really revealed in this book.

Possibly the best thing about Small Island is the unexpected ending. It is a moving and compassionate tale that ends with the same hard-hitting reality that the entire novel provides. The book is full of small surprises but the last is the best and it draws the story neatly together as Hortense, Queenie, Bernard and Gilbert are brought together in a final climax. It is difficult to describe suchly a deeply detailed book without spoiling some of its beauty - all that can be said is that everyone should pick this one up and experience humanity at both its best and its worst.

Please comment if you have anything to add to this review of 'Small Island'.

Souped Up Superheroes Don't Have to Be Such a Bad Thing

2010-01-06T18:24:00.007Z

Sherlock Holmes

Directed by Guy Ritchie, 2009.

So Arthur Conan Doyle's hero has been re-made and put on the big screen once again - but has this modern, mad and quick-witted detective got a bit carried away, getting too close to the Bond and Batman scene?

Sherlock Holmes' (Robert Downey Jr) latest adventure sees him and his pal Dr Watson (Jude Law) facing the lecherous Lord Blackwood (Mark Strong) who uses apparent supernatural powers to spark fear and panic in the Victorian British public. Holmes' powers of logical deduction take him right across the murky depths of London, battling a French brute, chasing a ginger dwarf and trying to resist the temptation that is Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams).

I for one think that the central partnership is one of the best of recent years. A notoriously wooden Law unexpectedly steps up brilliantly as the dashing and reliable Watson to contrast with the madly intelligent attitude that comes with Downey Jr as Holmes. The two fit together like two pieces of a puzzle bickering in the way old friends do but nevertheless unfailing in their friendship. It's also nice to see an intelligent, controlled Watson rather than a dithering fool who seemingly can't grasp Holmes' brilliant ways.

However, there is the inescapable Ritchie flair about the movie, with a similar folky score, slow-motion explosions and bare-chested brawls that have become this director's signature. Surprisingly, not all of it seems out of place. The intensity of Watson's close shaves, and Sherlock's sticky situations keeps the pace of this film, which is ultimately an introduction to further films.

Hans Zimmer's score was also a highlight of the film. A perfect mix of scratchy violins and honky-tonk piano to match Sherlock's quirky disposition as well as the mucky underworld of the Victorian setting. It made the action more gripping as well as creating a unique sound for this unique Sherlock.

The film is long, but definitely doesn't feel it, and yet there is plenty of room for further development both with character and plot. Downey Jr brings fun and excitement to Sherlock's character and Law provides a brilliant counterpart, but the female aspect of the film is weaker. Irene Adler remains an ambiguous character and her relationship with Holmes is unclear, but she adds another dimension to the detective that will be better developed in the movies to come.

Overall, this film is a must-see. So it's a souped-up version of the original detective, but that does not make it a bad movie. It's exciting, visually entertaining and shows an impressive cast at their best. It might have the Ritchie flair, but it has all the qualities of a Hollywood blockbuster too - I'd happily count the Victorian detective amongst some of our most exciting superheroes, even if there isn't anything superhuman about him. Ultimately, he's brilliant, and really that's all that counts.

Please comment if you have anything to add to this review of 'Sherlock Holmes'.

New Year - New Start

2010-01-04T20:13:00.003Z

Happy New Year to one and all! I hope everyone had a sufficiently Christmassy break, eating lots, drinking more and being very merry. Now it's another new year, a new decade even, and we're all undoubtedly slightly less pleased with our appearances than before Christmas. But, I'm a student so a bit of extra weight should be enough to see me through the next term!

Looking back over my last year's blogging, it looks to have been a pretty poor turn out. So -

New Year's Resolution #1: Blog more.

Believe it or not I have lots to say but it just never seems to get written down. We can all use the excuse that we don't have time and I've been pretty weighed down by all that Renaissance reading those lecturers have given me but I've just spent 2 hours watching episodes of Friends I've seen more times than the number of real friends I have, so I can't be that short of minutes.

So watch out for more book reviews, more film reviews and hopefully a few more theatre reviews as well.

2009 was the year I started out as editor for the Arts, Books and Creative section of the University of Reading's student newspaper, Spark* and I can't believe I've gone four months without mentioning it. Well, the time has come to present the newspaper's website.

Set up late last year, the website contains all the articles and photographs published in the current issue of Spark*, so visit www.rusu.org.uk/spark to take a look at we do. All the articles are written by those studying at the university and we pride ourselves on being one of the last remaining student papers still being produced entirely by students.

I hope to still be working on the paper throughout 2010, so I'll make it another blogging priority to update you on the top stories for students this year - we can get pretty miffed about stuff when we want to.

Well I suppose that's it for now - but don't lose faith in me because this blogger is definitely back in business! I might also embarrass myself with some of my own creative works later this year, but we'll see!

All the best for 2010!

All's Fair in Love and Death

2009-11-27T09:33:00.005Z

The Gathering - Anne Enright

Winner of the 2007 Man Booker Prize, The Gathering is the harrowing tale of a dysfunctional Irish family told by Veronica Hegarty. She is plunged back into her past and forced to face her diverse, drinking family upon the death of her dearest brother, Liam. A troubled young man, Liam walks into the sea at Brighton and never resurfaces. Shocked and somewhat bitter, Veronica invites us to explore her memories of and with her brother as she searches for the classic 'what went wrong?'

The novel itself has a cold tone throughout - unsurprisingly, as the whole thing is centred around Veronica arranging the funeral details and transport of her brother's body back to his birth town. However, this tone is undoubtedly the fault of Enright's narrator, who is seemingly devoid of positive emotion.

The author depicts the loss in an angry and bitter way as the narrator blames the incessant reproduction of her mother and father for the faults of her brother. Living within a huge family, Veronica obviously feels neglected by her parents and even by many of her brothers and sisters - she was forced to grow up, alongside Liam, with a grandmother of equally cold behaviour. It seems to be in the Hegarty genes that the women grow cold, staying with their partners through thick and thin for reasons that they might have forgotten.

Veronica herself, in reflecting upon her past, becomes more and more detached from her family - she feels competition and resentment towards one of her two daughters, and refuses to sleep with her husband, increasingly turning to drink for company. It is very uncomfortable to read about the lack of love one woman can feel for her family. Most people have faith that a mother's love can prevail over all other forms and yet here is Veronica almost hating her children.

Enright explores the family structure in a way I have never seen before. The Hegarty children are more like numbers than children and Veronica constantly tries to convince us that her mother doesn't even know her name. The bond between parent and child is significantly damaged in this book, which is slightly disturbing (but intriguing) to read.

Enright's attitude towards the family in The Gathering is equally reflected in her portrayal of sex. Intercourse is grotesque throughout and issues surrounding Liam's sexual life enhance this. Sex is not enjoyable for Veronica - it is a mechanical, almost disgusting act of human behaviour, undoubtedly a view resulting from her feelings towards her incredibly fertile parents.

Liam is the fall from grace. He is quite beautiful under Enright's description, with the extremely blue "Hegarty eyes". Girls throw themselves at him, but his childhood, marked by a damaged, loveless upbringing, fail this potentially bright star, as it seems to have done for all the Hegarty children. However, Liam is essentially a ghost in Veronica's story. We are never allowed insight into his real feelings or emotions, and his alcoholism and other underlying problems are the products of his sister's observations and suppositions.

Although more cold and bitter than any character I have ever come across, Veronica's thought processes resemble those of any other human, even if her thoughts are far from your own. The desire to retain the memory of someone you've loved and lost and, perhaps, to reason with why they couldn't have been saved, is a natural process when love and death tragically come together.

Enright's writing is clearly deserving of the Man Booker Prize, which I found a little surprising. I have read Booker shortlisters and winners before, only to find them abstract and unenjoyable. This was not the case with The Gathering. Yes, it is still a bit abstract, with little plot and a complicated array of hazy memories recounted by a narrator who sometimes tells the story the way she hoped it had happened. Nevertheless, The Gathering is beautiful, touching and very interesting - I thoroughly enjoyed and recommend it to anyone who wants to read about a fresh view on a broken family.

Please comment if you have anything to add to this review of 'The Gathering'.

A Pleasant Surprise

2009-08-02T18:49:00.003+01:00

The Proposal (2009)
Directed by Anne Fletcher

Oh look, another romantic comedy. Good looking girl falls in love with (very) good looking guy, a few hiccups on the way but all's well that ends well and you get your happily ever after - just about. I'm not denying that The Proposal brings nothing new to this genre, but this one actually lives up to it. It's romantic, it's comical, and it's just downright entertaining.

When vile boss Margaret Tate (Sandra Bullock) discovers she is being deported thanks to an expired work visa, she forces her assistant, the lovable, Andrew Paxton (Ryan Reynolds) to marry her. A family engagement of Andrew's takes them both on a weekend of fun and games in Alaska, where the two are forced to spend time together and get to know each other a bit better.

Obviously, there are a few cringeworthy and slightly unbelievable elements to this film - the wedding is brought forward to the current weekend, Margaret's parents are both conveniently dead, so there's no objections there, and once again in American comedy, the two both work in a high-flying New York publishing house. Why is that always the case? Nevertheless, this comes with the territory and when you buy a ticket to see a romantic-comedy, you've got to expect it.

The delight of this film lies in the actual comedy. I went in a skeptic. Having seen the trailer, I thought I'd pretty much seen all the jokes and I was pretty certain on the outcome of the film so I didn't have high expectations as a whole. Perhaps this worked in its favour. Either way, this movie is full of great, slapstick humour, classic one liners and two lead actors that never fail to amuse.

Sandra Bullock is on form as super-bitch, Margaret, as the Alaskan countryside, and the imperative to be nice play against her. Ryan Reynolds is equally funny as he milks the opportunity to get even with the woman who has made his life hell.

Ok, so there is nothing dramatically different about this rom-com, no cinematic genius or twist in the storyline. However, this movie does what it says on the tin just perfectly. I was laughing for so much of the way through - genuine laughter too - and the whole thing is just enjoyable to watch. Finally, The Proposal has brought the feel-good factor back into this genre, where so many of its recent predecessors have failed.

Please comment if you have anything to add to the review of 'The Proposal'.

A Definite Don't-Read

2009-07-27T22:17:00.011+01:00

Charlotte Gray - Sebastian Faulks

Why? Why? Why did I read this book? It's taken me about a month or so to get through it purely because I had no motivation to get to the end. And, exactly as I expected, I gained nothing from actually getting to the 497th page.

This book supposedly follows the epic 'odessey' of Charlotte Gray, a Scottish girl sent on an errand in occupied France for an under-cover agency. It is the peak of World War Two, and Charlotte is not only on a mission on behalf of the allies, she is also on her own mission to find her lover, Peter Gregory, a pilot missing in action.

There are many things wrong with this book. The most prominent is the number of characters - there are so many that a) you can't remember who each of them are b) you don't care enough about the outcome of any of their lives and c) even by the end of the book , even Charlotte seems to have a forgotten about half of them.

The second thing that wound me up is the lack of action. This novel is the journey of one woman but really, it's just about her survival, her ordinary day-to-day life, which in a fictional novel tends to wear on you a bit. After all, I don't read a book to satisfy my need for the mundane. Yes, it's about WWII and yes, she undercover in France. There is, of course, a sub-plot following three jews who are taken into the extreme and awful conditions and in theory it seems disrespectful to find the story uninteresting. However, there really is nothing exceptional about these particular sub-plots and because the characters are so undeveloped, sympathy for them specifically is limited.

Finally, there is just so much of this book. So many long, long pages of Faulks' style - journalistic, unemotional writing. Even where there is potential for excitement (a suppressed childhood memory that led to Charlotte's teenage depression, Charlotte nearly exposing herself at the public baths) it is completely brushed over and ignored as the author moves onto another sub-plot soon to be forgotten.

I know I'm being very negative about this novel but I really couldn't justify anything positive. Not only was I dissatisfied at the end but I was dissatisfied and frustrated throughout the entire book. I made no connection to any character, including the eponymous protagonist and I guess I just got nothing from Charlotte Gray whatsoever. I was bored, and this review is the only good (?) thing to have come from reading this one. Sorry Faulks.

Please comment if you have anything to add to this review of 'Charlotte Gray'.

The Fresh Face of Comedy

2009-07-19T16:45:00.006+01:00

The Hangover (2009)
Directed by Todd Phillips

The story of a stag do gone horribly wrong, this film is, in my opinion, the best comedy of 2009 to date. Far from the repetitive, comedies of recent years this movie brings fresh faces, great one-liners and a new style of comedy altogether to the 21st century.

The film stars Bradley Cooper (Phil), Ed Helms (Stu) and Zach Galifianakis (Alan) as three guys desperately trying to remember the events of the previous night in Vegas. Hungover and confused, their journey takes them on a hilarious trip around the city, as they attempt to find Doug, the groom-to-be. From babies to strippers, tigers to Mike Tyson, the guys find themselves in awkward and bizarre situations all thanks to a heavy night of booze and babes.

Although Cooper, Helms and Galifianakis have been seen on the big screen before, this is the first time they have been seen together as the principal actors. From the weird and quirky Alan to the cool, smooth Phil, the three characters gel unbelievably well, despite the diverse personalities. There was a danger of creating classic and cliched characters - the cool, popular Phil meets geeky Stu and token freak, Alan. However, the men's relationship is far from it. This is not another teen movie, it's a mature approach to a crazy night of alcohol, and the humour is drawn from something different.

This comedy is great and has the audience laughing from start to finish. The humour appeals to the masses - both the young and the old, male and female. There is nothing offensive or overtly crude and none of the random humour of Anchorman or the perhaps immature laughs had from Superbad. This is pure fun, and Galifianakis' impecable comic timing with unintelligent one-liners is fantastic.

This film is funny because it's believable, because we've all had a night similar, if on a (hopefully) more minor scale, and because this is something new. Gone are the cliches and the loose plot lines and in their place is some heart. You pray the guys will get to the wedding, and finally on their return from Vegas, you witness them in their ordinary, grown-up lives. It's a reminder that we're all capable of doing something (maybe two or three things) a bit stupid.

My only criticism of the film is the Chinese, gay, gangster, kung-fu (anything else?) character. Most guys I've spoken to have found him hilarious, girls just don't see the point, and I guess I'm one of them. I didn't laugh and I found him a bit pathetic. He was a very odd aspect of the film (though very little of it can be deemed 'normal') and definitely the weakest. Any other style of character could have served the purpose of his role just as easily and, unfortunately, he's just not that funny.

Nevertheless, this is undoubtedly a must-see film. Don't wait for the DVD to come out - make the most of the big screen and watch it in the cinema. Let Phil, Stu and Alan live out your irresponsible fantasies and enjoy the consequences.

Please comment if you have anything to add to this review of 'The Hangover'.

A Twenty-First Century Fable

2009-05-06T15:40:00.005+01:00

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas - John Boyne

Whenever I describe this book to people, I always find myself using the same words - "Oh, it's such a cute story", which, for a story about the Holocaust, might come as a surprise. Somehow though, it just is.

This book follows nine-year-old Bruno as he is forced to leave his luxury home in Berlin and move to 'Out-With' (one of many puns easily understood by an older reader). Driven by boredom from the lack of friends and activities in his new house, Bruno begins exploring. From his bedroom window he can see thousands of people dressed in striped pyjamas, so one day he walks along the fence that separates them, only to come across Schmuel. Despite being divided by a barrier of metal and barbed wire, the two boys befriend each other, oblivious to their differences and brought together by their own unhappiness.

Although this book is a children's book, it seems to rely on the reader's understanding of Auschwitz and the Holocaust in order to be fully appreciated. In this sense I believe it appeals to an older audience, as I imagine nine-year-olds of the modern day would read this novel with the same confusion that Bruno feels, and the ending especially would invite many hard-to-answer questions.

Bruno narrates the story, and tells it with the blissful ignorance of his age. He is naive of the horrors of World War Two, and ironically feels it's utterly unfair that Schmuel gets to be on his side of the fence where there are plenty of people to play with. The language that Boyne uses to depict this child's world and his thought processes is delightful and believable, and it is almost comforting to know that Bruno's worst problems are boredom and an annoying sister.

Some have criticised the plausibility of the story, saying that Bruno, as the Commandant's son, was unlikely to have escaped the indoctrination of the Hitler Youth and Nazi propaganda. However, the beauty of this book lies in Bruno's innocence, and it makes the ending far more harrowing and hard-hitting. In fact, the little boy is taught the history of the 'Fatherland', but thoughts of exploring and meeting his new friend occupy his mind and he seems to resist the Nazi sentiments, unlike his sister.

Ultimately, this book is a perfect read -it is quick, interesting and (I have to resist writing the word 'cute' here) enjoyable. The childlike nature of the writing disguises the deeper, 'grown-up' issues that surround the Holocaust, but it is written in such a way as to make them recognisable. I would warn against children under the age of 12 reading it, purely because, despite being from a child's perspective, it needs an older mind, and a background knowledge of the Second World War to perceive the real morals of the story. Nevertheless, it is well worth reading as a shocking fable of the modern day.

Please comment if you have anything to add to this review of 'The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas'.

'What I do I do because I like to do'

2009-04-29T16:27:00.004+01:00

A Clockwork Orange - Anthony Burgess

Anthony Burgess’ novel, A Clockwork Orange, is without a doubt a masterpiece of modern writing. Made doubly famous by Stanley Kubrick’s controversial film adaptation, the original text caused just as much of a stir when published as it became the first book of its kind.

This is Alex’s story: a tyrannical, Mozart-loving youth, who roams the streets at night with his ‘droogs’ committing ultra-violence. However, raping and pillaging soon take Alex to prison, where he undergoes a brainwashing experiment to reform him into becoming a good citizen.

The novel is, on a basic level, a discussion of good and evil and the freedom of choice. Burgess looks at the imposing levels of state control in an age that is extremely relevant to today’s society: the age of technology. It is a society restricted by heavy laws, indoctrinated by the media and living in fear of a seemingly uncontrollable sub-culture of rebellious, violent youths. Sound familiar?

However, when the state starts to try and reduce the numbers in its crowded prisons by brainwashing criminals into feeling physically ill at the sight and thought of violence, individual liberty is jeopardised. Burgess looks at the frighteningly real possibility that as the state becomes more desperate to control its citizens and ‘protect’ them from violence, freedom of choice will become a thing of the past. Alex becomes mechanical, a ‘clockwork’ being under someone else’s control, so could we all become the same?

Burgess’ protagonist tells his story in a language (Nadsat) created for him and his fellow teenagers. It is related to Russian, as the book was written in the Cold War, and with it Burgess creates a completely unique style for the book. Nevertheless, the anglicised words are easily recognisable and you find yourself connecting with Alex and sympathising with him and his violent ways.

Alex’s journey throughout A Clockwork Orange is an interesting one, which portrays life from the side of the ‘bad’. What he does he does out of choice but when that choice is removed, Alex becomes as much a victim of society as the victims of his own violence. Burgess forces us to rethink what makes the good and what makes the evil, but whatever you might think, this novel is an absolute must-read.

Please comment if you have anything to add to this review of 'A Clockwork Orange'.

Up Rolls a Riot Van

2009-04-01T23:10:00.003+01:00

So...

I see the British have resorted to typical British methods:

Want to solve a problem?
- First, wreck the source.
- Second, have a cuppa and sort the rest out later.

Ahead of the G20 summits, the London streets, as we all well know, were chokka block with protesters making their feelings known about the state of current affairs and finances. Most of the marches were peaceful, but why do there always have to be some pillocks that have to start throwing fire about in an attempt to make themselves heard?

Watching the news coverage, I saw that the police were well on top of things, battering protesters in a bit of a random fashion and even charging and barging the crowds, involving probably more innocents that guilty ones in the mass of violence. But then, I don't know how I'd react if someone threw a flaming stake at me. I probably wouldn't bring the horses in - it always seems a bit medieval, still using horses to try and restore order and suppress violence. Horses seem to get spooked so easily, and they can't wear helmets or carry shields to protect themselves.

It is nice to see protesters adapting to the 21st century though - everyone of them seemed to have an expensive camera which they used to take pictures of/video one bloke smash the Bank of England windows in with a metal bollard. No doubt some of these are already on youtube and will be 'This Week's Most Watched' by Friday.

I actually went to London today, purely out of choice, still being of my slightly naive teenage years. I went in and straight out again, sticking a bit south and staying away from the centre so that I didn't get caught up in anything a bit dodgy. I didn't really think there'd be much to make a fuss about, but apparently old habits die hard, and any excuse to cause a bit of mayhem seems to be a good and well-embraced one anywhere in the world. I was boring though and paid to have a bit of education at the Bodyworks Exhibition in the O2 (highly recommended), but I will get enraged one of these days and maybe go and take some snaps of a protest of my own.

Let's just see if it gets us anywhere, eh?

Welcome to Your Nightmare

2009-02-03T16:54:00.002Z

The Armature of the Absolute, The Buchinger’s Boot Marionettes

The Barbican Theatre 15/01/09

It was another one of those evenings. I hop on the train to London whilst my friends settle for the pub - again. So, making my way to the Barbican Theatre, homemade sandwich in hand (£3.99 for one in London - are they made of gold?), I prepare myself to soak up a bit of culture. However, on this particular trip, I didn’t feel like I acquired much culture at all, and I certainly wasn’t prepared for what I was about to see.

The Armature of the Absolute is a play depicting the life and works of Alfred Jarry, a French playwright from the late 19^th century. Don’t know Alfred Jarry? Well, he hated hierarchical society, rode bicycles more recklessly than your stupid younger brother and fuelled his body with arsenic - and when he ran out, he drank ink. In short, he was mad. He wrote a series of plays called The Ubu Plays, which caused outrage in the theatres of 1896 with some not so cleverly disguised swearwords.

Compared to the paintings of Salvador Dalí, this puppet performance can only be described as a living nightmare. If you don’t like puppets, then watching this would be like going to a puppet-only boarding school, then coming home one weekend to find that Pinocchio is your long lost brother and your mum’s making you share a room. The design of these puppets ranged from a baboon with teeth on its big, pink bum, a Mr Wobbly cross dinosaur on roller skates and a Pope-bashing Punch (from the Punch and Judy shows). They were grotesque, disturbing and watching them evoked a similar sentiment to that of watching The X Files as a 9-year old.

Perhaps you want to know exactly what this play was about - frankly, so do I. There was a sort of narrator, dressed like a puppet with a half masked face. However, with a heavy accent and a Stephen Hawking voice effect, understanding him was nigh impossible. Therefore, the play seemed to have no through line, no plot and seemingly the only beginnings and ends were life and death and then death as a metaphor for life and… oh, I lost track of all the skeletons, eggs and disturbing puppet-going-through-painful-child-birth scenes (by child I mean lizard/skeleton).

The show is part of the London Mime Festival and sold out in its short time at the Barbican, and despite my disgust I can see why. Whilst watching the performance, I was outraged, repulsed and little bit mentally scarred, but that’s what it was supposed to do. It was a recreation of the outrage Jarry originally caused his poor, unsuspecting, upper class French audience in 1896.

By the end of the show, some people sat and clapped uncomfortably, others sat in bitter defiance with their arms crossed, and some had already walked out. There were some that loved it (each to their own) and they clapped vigorously, but I was one of the uncomfortable ones. Still, as I walked back to the underground station pondering an angry ‘what were you thinking?’ letter to someone high up, I found myself needing to talk about what I’d seen. Not in an ‘I need therapy’ way (surprisingly) but I needed to complain about the defecation, the phallic imagery and the utterly disturbing nature of the piece. How could that show possibly belong in a theatre? But that’s just it, I suppose – why shouldn’t it?

This show broke every taboo in the book. With skilled puppetry, a completely baffling set of scenes and some chilling music, the Buchinger’s Boot Marionettes managed to create something unimaginable; not just the physical performance but the same, or at least similar, feeling felt by an audience of over one hundred years ago. It might not be my cup of tea, but these guys, despite the deep trauma they may have caused, do deserve some praise for a performance beyond even your wildest nightmares.

Please comment if you have anything to add to this review of 'The Armature of the Absolute'.

A Touching Tale of Trauma

2009-01-25T19:00:00.009Z

Kindertransport - Diane Samuels

Performed by Progress Theatre in Reading (27/10/08)

For the first production I have seen by Progress Theatre, Kindertransport definitely formed a brilliant first impression of their work. From the innovative set design to the stunningly convincing characters, I enjoyed every aspect of this performance.

Kindertransport tells the traumatic tale of Eva Schlesinger, evacuated from Germany just months before the outbreak of the Second World War. As a Jewish girl in a Nazi stronghold, her parents send her to England to live a safer life away from her home. Parallel to this is the story of Lil, Evelyn and Faith; three generations of women, who forty years or so after the war, are struggling with similar issues surrounding identity, love and loss.

However, the first thing that struck me about the theatre was how remarkably small it was. It had a quaint appearance with a pleasant community feel, but a small space like that is bound to present difficulties. It’s fair to say that the company did a good job of overcoming them in creating some challenging locations, and the simplistic set design combined with the action onstage did enough to create two very different yet connected worlds.

Eva’s world is one of sadness and fear, but the director did manage to balance the tone of the performance to uplift the audience from time to time. The actress playing Lil (Liz Carroll) often brought us some light relief with her quirky British humour. The only male in the cast, Steve Webb, who performed five roles, also delivered cheeky comedy to a good reception; a deep contrast to his more fearful characters, the Nazi official and the Ratcatcher, with which he showed great diversity as an actor.

One scene that particularly affected me in a more tragic way was one in which Eva (Sadie James) leaves her mother (Laura Lewis) when she departs on the train to England. Director Lesley McEwan’s decision to stage Helga, Eva’s mother, behind the child meant that the audience could see her hauntingly grievous expressions. The silent mouthing of the words, “I love you”, accompanied with chilling slow motion waves effectively created that horrible moment when a mother is separated from her child.

Sadie’s performance is also worth particular praise. Not only did the young actress have to learn her lines, but some of them were in German, and she had never learnt the language prior to the production. Sadie also made the development in her character extremely clear; from the young, confused German girl, to the more mature Eva, losing her staccato English for a more natural Manchester accent.

Yet, it goes without saying that all the actors showed tremendous talent, and it was clear that a lot of hard work and effort had gone into making this performance a success – it was not in vain. Even when the unexpected sound effect of nearby fireworks repeatedly interrupted the show, the actors continued without faltering. It was definitely a successful tribute to the real ‘Kinder’ transported to England before the war, on whose experiences this play is based. Finally, if future productions continue to be of this standard, then I will certainly support Progress Theatre for some time to come.

Please comment if you have anything to add to this review of "Kindertransport".

Coming Out of the Cold

2009-01-25T18:20:00.004Z

On this, the 141st day since I last blogged (and, incidentally, the 250th year since Robert Burns was born), I've decided to come in out of the cold. I've been laying dormant for a few months, but I'm a student now, so what do you expect? If I didn't hibernate for the half the year, only waking up to eat a Hob Nob, scratch my nose and catch the odd episode on iPlayer, I think I'd be socially cast out from university.

Well... perhaps not.

Anyway, I've now got a firm grip on life here in Reading. I go running a few times a week, and it's not poofy running either - it's proper running with people who are so fast they must have eaten an F1 engine. I'm also managing to find the time to cook proper food instead of alternating between baked beans, eggs, super noodles and beans, which apparently doesn't do wonders for your body. Above all, of course, I'm doing lots of studying, which is naturally the cause of my inactivity over the last few months.

I can at least pretend can't I?

Ok, so maybe it has got something to do with the ridiculous amount of themed club nights, the £1 a bottle nights at the local and the inexplicable inability to say no to any social activity whatsoever in the first term. But I was told to "have fun" by everyone before I left, so I guess I'm just doing as I'm told.

Don't go thinking I've been neglecting my reviewing front though - I have been doing something! Whilst this blog might have been gathering dust, I've been tip-tapping away for the student newspaper, Spark*. Of course, it would be selfish if Reading was the only town my talent was felt in. So, just to get the ball rolling again, I thought I'd start sharing these reviews with you and the rest of the world wide web.

The first review I'm posting is one I wrote last term on a local performance of Kindertransport, a play by Diane Samuels. So, enjoy and keep your keen eyes open for more to come!

A Bitter Booker Disappointment

2008-09-06T18:16:00.007+01:00

Amsterdam - Ian McEwan

This was a novel I really wanted to read. I was still buzzing from the brilliance of Atonement when I found Amsterdam in a local charity shop - I couldn't wait to get stuck into something just as good, if not better. Thing is, when I did get stuck into it, I didn't really get stuck.

Amsterdam is the story of two old friends who meet outside a crematorium at the funeral of a mutual friend and lover. Molly Lane's death prompts Vernon Halliday and Clive Linley to rethink their lives and their friendship. In the following days, Vernon makes fatal decisions as editor of a quality broadsheet, The Judge, and Clive, a successful modern composer, searches for the perfect melody for the millennium. The blurb describes the book as "brimming with surprises", but it was about as surprising as the force of gravity.

This book was merely a journey through a troubled few weeks in the lives of a couple of ordinary men. I was expecting brilliant writing and a brilliant storyline, especially as Atonement was only shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 2001 and Amsterdam actually won it in 1998. I suppose I ought not to raise my expectations too high, but I'm definitely not as keen on trusting the judges of these prizes.

To be fair to McEwan, his writing is evocative and skilled, but it doesn't have the familiar technique of using particular words, phrases and vocabulary to create an unmistakable atmosphere. There is nothing about the plot that keeps the reader hooked other than a mere curiosity to see if anything is actually ever going to happen. The ending is similar to the "and I woke up to find it was all a dream" ending and the characters were about as interesting as my big toe. To keep it short, Amsterdam was an utter disappointment. Alain de Botton, of the Daily Mail, called it, "A page-turner" - but I'm afraid the only thing that should turn these pages is the wind.

If you do feel compelled to read any of McEwan's novels, make sure it is Atonement. That is one novel that won't let you down.

Please comment if you have anything to add to this review of "Amsterdam".

Bissing Down in Beijing

2008-09-02T19:23:00.004+01:00

In complete contrast to our first day out in Beijing, it bissed it down for the whole of our second day. Perfect weather for sightseeing.

We took a trip to the Forbidden City, home of the old Emperors. To be honest, it's the biggest home I've ever seen - one person would certainly rattle around quite a bit in it. The sheer size of the place is breathtaking. It's a series of courtyards joined with various temples and rooms, made with vast amounts of stone, brass and gold. Our guide directed us through each courtyard, explaining the various rooms we came across - the throne room, the wash room, the prayer room to name a few. We had to dart across a couple of the stone courtyards just to escape the heavy rain.

Rather fittingly, the swimmers were out. The boys (typically) spotted the Australian synchronised swimming team walking around the Forbidden City and of course nabbed a quick photo and interview.

When we finally reached the far side of the Forbidden City, we'd lost our teacher. But that's by-the-by. We soon found her and reassembled at the coach to journey a little further round Beijing to the Temple of Heaven.

The guide seemed to be walking the wild side of life in leading us to the highest point in Beijing during a thunder and lightning storm. The locals took more money than they'd probably seen all month as there was a sudden rush on umbrellas from our group. I had my rain mac, but it did sod all. Not only was I still wet through but I was also still hot and sticky - I seemed to have created my own greenhouse effect.

Despite the weather, the temple and its grounds were beautiful and within it was a small art school selling various paintings. I got one for myself - the picture represents spring with copious amounts of pink cherry blossom and white birds flocking around a lake. Unfortunately, our visit was swiftly over as the rain got too much to bear.

We were off again, sitting soggy on the coach. This time we pulled up outside a very posh looking hotel - it was dinnertime and we'd been brought to a special Peking duck restaurant. The food was unbelievably good, the best so far, but everything was duck - duck pate, duck pancakes, duck rolls, duck soup. The only thing that didn't have duck in it was the tea. We did all feel a bit trampy in our wet clothes surrounded by golden tapestries and traditional Chinese beauty, but it was worth it for a good meal!

After dinner we headed back to the university for a spot of badminton. Without even realising it, our day was already and all the fun and rain had certainly drained our English bodies, which were still plodding along to British summer time. So it was off to our rooms to settle down on our beds of wood and bean bags. Luxury.

Fallen Behind?

2008-08-20T21:24:00.002+01:00

Yes. Is the simple and honest answer.

Unfortunately, Beijing university only allowed us 1 hour per night on the Internet - after Day 3, I missed that hour every night. So, with a swift change of plan, I'm going to do a series of posts logging each memorable event, including a few photos - if that doesn't tempt you, I don't know what will.

I hope you're all following the Olympics on the TV. With Great Britain holding a comfortable 3rd on the medals tables, the games have got rather exciting. Stay logged on and I promise some posts packed with more excitement than you can shake a stick at.

Surely this proves it.

Day 3 - City Centre Olympics

2008-08-11T02:20:00.000+01:00

And now the weather - the last few days have been stormy with heavy rain, thunder and lightning. So, the computers were out of bounds. That means that I'm about three days behind, so today's job is accounting for two of those days.

The opening ceremony - I hope you all watched it - was incredible! Unfortunately, I was watching it on a screen, a big one, in a park. The air was sweltering and I was cursing the number of countries there are in the world, purely because we had to wait longer for Team GB to come out. The evening got off to a bit of a bad start though - the park we were supposed to watch the ceremony in was shut due to security reasons and we ended up sitting on a stationary bus for over two hours. That meant we missed dinner - so the number of sore bums, rumbly tummies and hot faces equalled a group of slightly irritable people. Nevertheless, the ceremony was fantastic and definitely worth a watch.

The following day, we finally moved out of the school and into the city centre. We went to the gates of the forbidden city and watched the road cycling race. I was stunned by the number of competitors as they rode past, and the speed with which they race. Of course that lasted a maximum time of 30 seconds, so I passed the time by talking to a Chinese boy called Dragon. I don't actually remember his name but I remember it meant dragon. He was from an area of Beijing, watching the Olympics with his family. Like every Chinese person (except the ones trying to sell you umbrellas), he was friendly, constantly welcoming me to Beijing and telling me how pleased he was to have me in his country.

Of course, we had to move on soon after the cycling, having photos snapped of us along the way. The Chinese seem fascinated by Western culture and photograph us like celebrities. We went to a large street, with lots of restaurants and shops, and a few students and I went to the basement of a department store for lunch. With our slightly awkwardly ordered meal came a saucepan of hot stock, raw prawns, cabbage, mushrooms, an egg and noodles. You have to put all the bits of food into the stock and cook it yourself. I think it was more fun making it than eating it and I took a bite of a very suspicious bread roll that tasted similar to aniseed and salt.

The rest of the day saw a lot of walking, a little shopping and a long tube ride home. Overall, my first taste of Beijing was a good one, plus I got a good tan. Tomorrow we will be going to the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven, taking a break from the Olympics to taste the Chinese cultural history.

Happy blogging.

Day 1 - Sweaty

2008-08-09T14:50:00.002+01:00

Day 1

Well, the first day has been good, though nothing Olympian just yet. I'd first like to thank everyone for their comments, and of course I will be trying to make some serious reports, whilst avoiding the eyes of the Communist government. I haven't actually been outside of the university yet so haven't seen the country in action. Nevertheless, I've indulged in a few Chinese activities.

First up was kung fu - lots of squatting, stretching and hi-yahing. It is not exactly like the movies, and it is most definitely more tiring! You have to master bent knees, with outstretched arms and a straight back (more difficult than it sounds) before you can even think of starting to learn positions and routines. But, we managed it, and the teacher taught us the routine of some monks. It's very slow and skilled and it really works your muscles - it certainly worked the boys who had never come anything near to the splits in their life! They were about as flexible as a broom handle, but they will be joining the class with some others and myself later on in the week.

The interview with Matthew Pinsent wasn't quite what I expected - as in I expected him to be there and he was not. But we enjoyed a performance of music and dance by some Chinese students, which was both beautiful and inspirational. There were traditional Chinese instruments as well as nunchucks, singing and dancing in traditional dress. The performances were filmed by the BBC and will be shown on the programme, 'Olympic Breakfast', which begins at 6.30 am on Sunday morning on BBC2. Watch out for The Homewood School crowd, who proved to be the best at cheering.

Lastly, we played some sport in the blazing afternoon heat, to bond with our new Chinese friends. We did many things, including skipping and a game of touch rugby. The rules were slightly difficult to explain (especially the offside rule) as the language barrier has proved to be quite tough to break down, but the game was good fun and certainly set us up for a good dinner and a good sleep. Preferring the policy of 'play now - sleep later', at least we got one of the two.

Happy blogging.

Journeying to Beijing 2008

2008-08-08T02:23:00.000+01:00

The Beijing Olympics 2008 - a sporting event that has caused much controversy and excitement. Now, over the next couple of weeks, I'm going to bring a daily report of my own to My Telegraph, giving everyone a taste of the Beijing experience.

I'm very fortunate to be able to go to the Beijing Olympics as a spectator and as a school reporter for the BBC - my last school trip. Not only do I get to talk to athletes, spectate, see the sights and mingle with people from across the world, I also turn 18 and pick up my A Level results - it's a pretty jam packed couple of weeks! But I can't keep it all to myself, so I thought I'd log the progress of myself and my friends online.

Well, we've finally arrived! 25 and a half hours of travelling and approximately 2 minutes and 38 seconds of sleep. We took off from Heathrow at 6.20 pm on 5th August and landed in Hong Kong on 6th August at 1.20 pm. A 12 hour flight, that believe it or not was entirely bearable thanks to The Chroncicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, Eva Longoria, The Emperor's New Groove and Flight of the Conchords. It was a bit of a rough landing though as the pilot attempted to land us in a typhoon - he actually got us down on the 2nd attempt, so hats off to him.

We then flew again from Hong Kong to Beijing. A much shorter flight that saw us safely landed in the evening and we were at our accommodation by 9.30 pm.

We are staying at the Beijing Foreign Language School, complete with holes for pooping in, communal showers and a jolly comfy wooden bed (hmm.) But, I have absolutely no complaints, because I'm in Beijing - plus, yesterday I was so tired I would have slept comfortably on a porcupine.

Now it is 7th August - not sure where the 6th went - and in a few moments time I'll be off to indulge in an hour or so of martial arts. Seemed like a good idea at the time, but the Beijing heat is starting to make me re-think my decision. At 12 pm today, we will be introduced to our BBC team and Olympic gold medallist, Matthew Pinsent and I'll be back soon to give you a full and more exciting report on the day's events.

Happy blogging.

McEwan Magnificence

2008-07-28T22:25:00.006+01:00

Atonement - Ian McEwan

Before writing about Atonement, I looked back over my review of On Chesil Beach, also by McEwan. I'd titled it 'A Moment in Time Can Change a Lifetime', and I've found that Atonement focuses very much on the same idea - one moment, one single action altering the course of many lives.

Atonement has become incredibly well known, since being released as a film, starring Keira Knightley and James McAvoy, in 2007. The Novel itself, however, was published in 2001, and shortlisted for the booker prize in the same year. Fortunately, I have not seen the film and can praise Atonement purely as a literary masterpiece without my comments being soiled by impressions from the film.

The story begins on one very hot summer's day in 1935, during which thirteen-year-old Briony Tallis witnesses her older sister, Cecilia, plunging into the garden fountain in her underwear. Robbie Turner watches as she undresses and sinks into the water and soon Briony allows her creative imagination to explore ideas suspended between childhood and adulthood. Her mind eventually leads to her "crime", causing unforgivable shame and irreparable rifts amongst her family.

I mentioned in reviewing On Chesil Beach that McEwan has a remarkable talent for creating atmosphere with language. Of course every good author should be able to create scenes through subtle descriptions and well chosen vocabulary but McEwan is different - every word, every syllable echoes the story and the events to come. The beginning of the story evokes the erotic - from the "sticky" afternoon heat to the description of a fifteen-year-old girl indulging in chocolate. There is something vulgar about McEwan's language making the intimacy between characters seem gross and perverse - and so it should. Everything about McEwan's language is pitched perfectly to the story.

The second part of the novel takes Robbie through Dunkirk in 1940 and is a satisfying account of the war, carefully avoiding cliche. Here the writing is gripping and painful but Robbie's likable character is enough to keep us reading. Erotica is gone from McEwan's writing as the need to portray the reality of horrific history takes hold. But, enough about the plot.

Back to McEwan, there are two things I want to mention. Firstly, there is a moment of truly brilliant writing in the final fifty pages of the novel. I read about ten pages with my nose getting closer and closer to the paper - soon I to realised the words were losing their focus. I was desperate to be included more as my heart raced along with Briony's narrative. The writer is truly magnificent in his writing, describing everything down to the smallest subconscious gestures of the human being.

The second thing is not so good. There is one sex scene which seems utterly unreal to me. Without giving too much away, two virgins realise within one afternoon that they are in love and start having rampant, violent sex against a book case. Biting each other and making love without words, it seems like a very unlikely type of intimacy between two first time lovers. Especially as their love unfolds as everlasting, based upon this first discovery of their feelings for each other.

Despite this, I can safely say that Atonement is definitely worth reading. It is the best book I have read in some time and, whereas McEwan thoroughly disappointed me with On Chesil Beach, with Atonement he blew me away. I'm even looking out for a copy of Amsterdam, a novel that went on to win the 1998 booker prize, to read more of this talented writer. Ultimately, Atonement is a fantastic exploration of guilt and innocence, betrayal and forgiveness, love and hatred - pick up a copy and let it blow your mind.

Please comment if you have anything to add to this review of "Atonement".

Things To Do Before You Die.

2008-07-02T22:42:00.002+01:00

I am trying to get together a list of things to do before I die. Sounds a bit odd, but at 17, I figured that the earlier I start, the more likely I am to complete the list! Life is just a big waiting game and I'd like some things to pass the time - especially as I've just finished my A Levels and have found myself with a heck of a lot of time on my hands.

Now I don't want any of you grumps out there telling me to get a job to fill the time - I already have four. Nothing wimpy like babysitting in four different houses - 1 in a pub, 1 doing generally slave work for my parents' business, 1 on a farm and another cleaning for a nice lady nearby. So, what I really want from you all is all the things that you've already done and why it is worthwhile that I should do the same!

Come on, give me the best you've got and if I get enough, I'll post the list on my blog.

Then, provided I survive the ordeal, I publish accounts of what I've done.

It can be as trivial as eat oysters (I've already done that) or something a bit more reckless if you prefer!

I look forward to the responses.

A Simple Issue of Right and Wrong

2008-06-30T09:42:00.006+01:00

To Kill A Mockingbird - Harper Lee

Ok, so perhaps the issue in this book is not that simple. It tells the tale of Atticus Finch - lawyer, well-respected gentleman, widow and father of two. Through the eyes of his young daughter, Scout, you witness Atticus' unwinnable fight against the racism that raged through America in the 1930s, as he tries to defend a young black man accused of rape.

Racism continues to be a sensitive issue and has a history as old as the world. However, Lee's book approaches it in a completely unique way - from a child's point of view. Ok, so there have been other books that approach racism from a child's perspective, Noughts and Crosses, by Malorie Blackman for example, but they don't tell it in quite the same way. The narrator is 6 years old at the beginning of the book and by the end of it, only 9. I'm sure many of us can still remember the weightless, carefree life we led, where the most stressful thing was how many sweets you could get for 10p and for how long you could make them last. That same lifestyle is applied to Scout.

Scout, her brother, Jem and best friend, Dill all share the same fantasy - 'Boo' Radley. The man next door that hasn't been seen or spoken about for years by the Finches or anyone else in the town. They think up endless games and ways to tempt him from his house, despite warnings not to, and Scout, despite her private fears of her invisible neighbour, plays along to keep up with the two older boys. She is reckless, scrappy and determined and her life revolves around her father, reading and 'Boo' Radley. Therefore, when the trial of Tom Robinson enters her life, she does not consider it any different from any other trial fought by Atticus.

It is this stance that makes the book so touching - Scout does not consider the 'coloured' people any different. There was a time when none of us considered each other any different - whether it was the girl in the wheelchair, the boy with the ginger hair or the man with one arm, no one was different to you. As children, everyone is equal.

With this childlike perspective, To Kill a Mockingbird allows you to make your own mind up, not only about the issue of racism, but also about all the prejudices often faced by people everyday. Whether you're the bitter, old woman who insults people to hide her own problems, or the lonely Mayella Ewell, people often judge others before they know the full story - most people that is, excepting children.

It needn't be said but this book is a brilliantly written, brilliantly constructed account of a single issue of prejudice that embodies every picture. What Lee is teaching us is to view the people with the innocent mind of a child every once in a while, rather than make judgements formed by years of heartache, sterotypes and experience. Whilst sometimes our experience can come in handy, by judging people before we know them we may be missing some of the best experiences of our lives. There will be some experiences we should avoid and others that we should embrace, but in both cases we should put ourselves more freely in other people's shoes. Maybe then we will even get a better view of ourselves.

Please comment if you have anything to add to this review of 'To Kill a Mockingbird'.

A State of Mind

2008-06-04T19:03:00.005+01:00

Regeneration - Pat Barker

There's something I like about Pat Barker - she is linked to two other women I'm quite fond of. First there's Angela Carter - she actually encouraged Barker to concentrate on her writing when she was in her early twenties. The second is Sarah Daniels, a playwright who adapted Barker's novel, Blow Your House Down, for the stage in 1994. Both of these writers have been introduced to me through my A Level studies and I have come to admire the way in which they approach feminist issues.

Regeneration, however, is not a feminist novel. Quite the opposite, it focuses on the experiences of young men during the First World War. The scene is Craiglockhart War Hospital in Edinburgh, a hosptial for soldiers suffering from mental trauma owing to the war. Rivers is the psychiatrist there and through him the reader gathers an insight into the shattering effects that the Western Front has on soldiers' minds. There are also other viewpoints - Billy Prior, a patient in the hospital and Siegfried Sassoon, the renowned war poet.

The insight to Sassoon's time at Craiglockhart is fictional, though based on true events. Sassoon was sent to Craiglockhart after having written a declaration against the continuation of the war in 1917 - although he was not mad, his acquaintance and fellow poet, Robert Graves, claimed he was mentally unstable to avoid him being Court Martialled. Through Barker's portrayal, it is interesting to see how a mentally fit man copes with being surrounded by the mentally ill.

Interestingly, this is not a war novel of battlefront - there is little gore, little rattle of the guns but much more comfort with clean sheets and a basic bedroom. Nevertheless, Barker does not omit the fear and terror from her novel. Some men constantly envisage the blood and perverse dismemberment of friends, others are reminded of the taste of rotting flesh and vomit uncontrolably. Some can't speak, others can't move but rather than focus on the immediate horror of war, Barker looks at the broader picture. The effects of war were often permanent - even those not admitted to a psychiatric hospital were scarred for life by the things they had witnessed. And that is the true horror of war.

Typically, Barker includes the corruption of innocence, the destruction of youth and her disapproval of the Home Front and authorities - Prior's parents lack support and gratitude for their son's sacrifice, Prior also embarks on some uncomfortable sexual journeys with a girl from outside the hospital. Most shocking of all is that, despite the traumatising emotional journey these soldiers go on, the "Board" sends them right back to the source of their troubles once they have sufficiently "recovered". Barker constantly wants the reader to ask 'Why?' The same question we've been asking ourselves since it happened. Why did they have to go? Why did they have to endure those conditions? Why did war turn to slaughter?

This book does not have a complex storyline and the beginning and end rest on Sassoon's stay in the hospital. It is mainly a portrayal of the horror of war through its characters - the character of Rivers enables us to see more deeply into the minds of soldiers in such a way that one hardly dares imagine what it was really like. So, if you're interested in the First World War and particularly its literature, this book (plus the next two in the series) is definitely one to try.
Ultimately, we should all simply seek to learn from writers such as Barker, Sassoon and Graves. But, what a shame - we haven't.

Please comment if you have anything to add to this review of "Regeneration".

It's a Hard Knock Life.

2008-02-20T16:53:00.003Z

The Mayor of Casterbridge - Thomas Hardy

Another classic to add to my reviews, and again it's difficult to review something written over a hundred years ago. Nevertheless, I shall say a few words.

I chose to read Thomas Hardy having studied some of his poetry for an A/S Level exam last year - you'll be pleased to know I got an A. If there's one thing I found about Hardy's writing, it's that it is extremely depressing. He obviously disagreed with the popular 'happily-ever-after's and went for something a bit different. However, it definitely does not make his writing bad - if anything, it's bit more interesting (and realistic) to see things not always going right. The Mayor of Casterbridge is the perfect example.

The period of the novel is supposedly the late 1820s, so a lot of the agricultural activity and the vocabulary is native to that time. The storyline is one of deceit, death and mistakes, and if there's one thing to learn from this novel it's, always speak up when you have the chance and never lie! Valuable lessons, but here the characters suffer sometimes to the extreme. Yet, Hardy is clearly a very intelligent writer - he includes elements of mythology, foreign languages and other famous literature, obviously owing to a good Victorian education.

Another clever feature of Hardy's novel is to write speech in such as a way as to emphasise the accent of each character. Farfrae, the Scottish character, says "cannet" rather than "cannot" and "weel" instead of "well" - it is a nice touch to add to the reality and individuality of the characters, who are all well described and consistent in behaviour and attitude throughout the novel. However, there are quite a lot of characters and there is a lot of action, so the characters feel quite distant from the reader - I didn't feel particularly sympathetic or upset or even happy at certain pivotal moments in the story. Yet, this isn't necessarily a negative element of a novel - I believe Hardy uses this particular technique so as not to lead the reader on an emotional rollercoaster. He simply doesn't want to depress them!

Nevertheless, I really enjoyed reading The Mayor of Casterbridge, the first I've read of Hardy's novels. It was exciting because it is not a classic that is raved about, so I didn't already know the storyline or the outcome of each character's strife. Perhaps the only slight downfall is that almost too much happens throughout the text - time seems to move on almost too swiftly, not leaving enough time to take in one event and prepare for the next. However, this novel has encouraged me to read more of Hardy's novels, my next choice being the popular Tess of the d'Urbervilles. Finally, I'd like to leave you with the final words of the book, just to illustrate the general tone of the novel - "happiness [is] but the occassional episode in a general drama of pain."

Please comment if you have anything to add to this review of "The Mayor of Casterbridge".

A Moment in Time Can Change a Lifetime

2008-01-01T19:20:00.000Z

On Chesil Beach - Ian McEwan

I've read the first of my stocking fillers and I'm not entirely sure what to say about it. Was it well written? Yes. Easy to read? Yes. Did it keep me hooked? Yes. But - and there's always a but - there was something just not quite right about this story.

Obviously it's a modern piece of literature, being shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize in 2007, and everything about the book is modern - the language, the setting, the issue. The time that the book was set in (1962) is particularly interesting - it seems England is on the verge of social change and the young couple of the novel (Edward and Florence) are caught between the old and the new regime. This is central to McEwan's book as he looks back and forward in the lives of the newlyweds.

His technique is a good one, switching subtly back and forward and changing from Edward's perspective to that of Florence. However, personally I find it distracting. I'm reading on, eager to know what's to come, when all of a sudden it's five years previous and I have to read about a little more background. It does build vivid character profiles and the reader soon understands that the rift between Edward and Florence is the result of their diverse childhoods and their burdens. McEwan suggests that perhaps the little details from our childhood, the decisions and the attitudes of our parents might make the difference between success and failure in one moment of our later lives.

That leads me to another aspect of this novel - although the storyline jumps in time, the main event only takes place in the space of a few hours, a moment. This event seems something small, but it is actually a part of a huge factor in any relationship - the physical side. Personally, I believe it comes hand in hand with the emotional side - if you can connect with someone emotionally, you can connect with them physically. However, the difficulty with McEwan's couple is just that - they cannot connect.

Is there not anything more to it? Of course there is. However, I find the blurb a bit misleading - I was ready for a mind-blowing divide between two young people caused by some devastating event or hideous past. Neither came - it is merely an issue between two people who think they are in love but who together, represent discomfort. Here McEwan is impressive - everything about the descriptions and the lovely language he uses expresses this discomfort. The author's descriptions of the two young people alone on their wedding night are my favourite aspect of the book, McEwan deserves to be highly praised for them.

However, although I can acknowledge that On Chesil Beach is a very well written, well structured novel, it does not satisfy me as a reader. It is a book that tells you 'what not to do' but, as a person who likes a good story, I don't find one in this. It is a modern book conveying an everyday issue but the few hours in which the issue surfaces for Edward and Florence feels very drawn out. It is definitely a matter of personal opinion but I do not feel that this book is very touching or insightful - there is nothing particularly unique about it. But if there's one thing this book does convey, it is that one moment in time can change an entire lifetime.

Please comment if you have anything to add to this review of 'On Chesil Beach'.

My Stocking Fillers

2007-12-25T14:37:00.000Z

Firstly, Happy Christmas to you all!

I hope you're having a wonderful day, but I thought I'd interrupt it by sharing with you a few of my stocking fillers, in the field of literature.

On Chesil Beach, Ian McEwan

It is July 1962. Edward and Florence, young innocents married that morning, arrive at a hotel on the Dorset Coast. At dinner in their rooms they struggle to suppress their private fears of the wedding night to come...

This book, shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize this year, was given to me by my lovely Auntie Jacqui and her partner, Mike. It didn't win the prize but nevertheless, the novel has been well praised. It is a short novel so hopefully I will be back soon to give you some feedback on its good and - perhaps - bad points.

The Gathering, Anne Enright

The nine surviving children of the Hegarty clan gather in Dublin for the wake of their wayward brother Liam. It wasn't the drink that killed him - although that certainly helped - it was what happened to him as a boy in his grandmother's house, in the winter of 1968. His sister Veronica was there then, as she is now: keeping the dead man company, just for another little while.

Now, this one did win the Man Booker Prize, so you've probably heard of it. Enright was also in the papers around the time the prize was awarded for writing an essay that criticised the McCanns. My Grandma and Grandad bought it for me and I'm sure it will live up to its award-winning status.

Engleby, Sebastian Faulks

Mike Engleby says things that others dare not think.

Another present from my grandparents, this is something apparently "unlike anything he has written before", but since reading Birdsong, I've been a bit of a fan of Faulks. I haven't read any reviews, but it has been recommended to me by a teacher - let's hope it doesn't disappoint.

Suite Française, Irène Némirovsky

In 1941, Irène Némirovsky sat down to write a book that would convey the magnitude of what she was living through by evoking the domestic lives and personal trials of the ordinary citizens of France. Némirovsky's death in Auschwitz in 1942 prevented her from seeing the day, sixty-five years later, that the existing two sections of her planned novel sequence, "Suite Française", would be rediscovered and hailed as a masterpiece.

This, a present from my mum, sounds like an incredible story. My novel is the translation of the original French publication and I can't wait to read it. I'll have to read into the author's own story a bit more too as even that sounds like an amazing, if heart-wrenching story.

So, those are my four Christmas novels. Maybe some of you out there could help me decide what to read first, and, if you've read any of them already, let me know what you think. Hopefully, I'll have a few reviews on the way soon.

Have a happy Christmas and best wishes for the new year.

One of My Favourites

2007-12-02T16:01:00.000Z

Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen

"It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife." - The most famous quote from one of the most "universally" loved classics.

Published in 1813, four years before Austen's death, it has since become one of her most famous novels. It was initially titled First Impressions, but obviously it was never published under that title. Austen also first published it under the pseudonym, A Lady - there's an interesting fact for you.

Anyway, to the real business of blogging - the review. Now, I find it very difficult to review something that's both widely loved and nearly two hundred years old, but I'll give it my best shot.

The best thing about this novel is that, despite being set in a different society from today's, it's still funny. Austen's satire highlights the ridiculous characters in her society - the fussy, melodramatic mother (Mrs Bennet), the husband that regrets marrying (Mr Bennet), and the seemingly charming gentleman (Wickham). Of course, we still have these characters portrayed in modern satires - Monica from Friends, Ben from My Family and Daniel Cleaver in Bridget Jones' Diary. Therefore, Austen's novel is humourous to both the nineteenth and twenty-first century reader - we can all find a character in her novel that we can recognise.

The character of Elizabeth Bennet, from whose point of view the novel is mainly based, is very interesting; she is stubborn, a seemingly intelligent and independent woman. Quite similar to many modern heroines. However, Austen undermines these characteristics by showing her folly in falling for the dodgy Wickham, and how she eventually comes to depend on Darcy for love and money. Austen constantly ridicules the position of women in her society; they are expected to marry the first man who proposes to them; they are expected to marry for money and not love; and they are expected to marry for high status, connections and a good inheritance. Not exactly the same criteria we look for today. Clearly, Austen disagrees with them too; she herself never married, probably because she didn't believe in a loveless marriage. However, Austen is proof that a woman could be successful without having to marry someone already well-established.

The role of women is a very important theme in Austen's novel; the author suggests that in her society it was up to the woman to marry well first for their family's sake, then their own and to behave properly. Jane Bennet is the proper lady of the family; well groomed, well spoken, good natured and obedient; the perfect asset to her family. Whereas, Lydia Bennet acts as the complete opposite; flirtacious, irresponsible and a shame to her whole family when she elopes with Wickham. Austen has just about covered all the characters in her society, obviously conveying them to the extreme, from the arrogant Catherine de Bourgh to the stubborn heroine of Elizabeth. Austen clearly displays the ridiculous nature of her society and the people in it and with Catherine's obvious ill-breeding and Lydia's irritable immaturity, she makes the novel the successful, comical satire that it is.

Without a doubt, every book lover should read Pride and Pejudice, if you haven't already done so - it's guaranteed to become one of your favourites to be read over and over again.

A Lady.

PS. I've never seen the film - my love stems purely from the novel!

Please comment if you have anything to add to this review of "Pride and Prejudice".

The University Front

2007-11-25T21:48:00.000Z

Well, besides me being a shocking blogger (not posting in over a month), I have in fact been succeeding on the University Front. I thought, as one student to another, I'd share with you all my ups and downs, and just this once I'd like to talk about the ups!

3rd December 2007 has recently become a very important date; yours truly has gained an interview at Cambridge University. At first, I was very excited; mainly, I was glad that all the paperwork would at least count for something! However, it's now a week until the day and I'm starting to feel a bit nervous. I have had a lot of support from everyone, but ultimately, no one can do it for me. This is the real deal (I've even bought new interview clothes) and it's finally dawned on me - I've got an interview at Cambridge! Without a shadow of a doubt, if I get offered a place there, I'll grab it with both hands. It's nice to think that perhaps the thirteen years of hard work will amount to an education so priceless and prestigious.

So, where am I going with this? Well, apart from sharing my own good feelings, this post is also a quick note to all potential university applicants. That is - go for it! To be honest, when first considering applying to Cambridge, I was overwhelmed, under-confident and didn't have the faith of all of my peers that I could do it. Don't get me wrong, I'm not getting ahead of myself, I am hardly expecting the interviewers to jump up and offer me a place as soon as I step through the door. However, at least after all this, success or not, I will know exactly what could have happened. So, if any of you are having doubts about whether to apply for that certain course, college or university, don't. After all, what's stopping you? There's no harm in trying, you won't live the rest of your life wondering what might have been and most importantly we are all at that valuable stage of our lives where there are few burdens of responsibility - we've nothing to lose.

What are you waiting for? Stop dallying and get that UCAS form completed.

Good luck!

Dumbledore's Out in the Big Apple

2007-10-21T12:06:00.000+01:00

Last Friday in New York, J.K. Rowling shocked her fans by revealing that the headmaster at Hogwarts was gay. Naturally, whether readers are particularly shocked or not, the news has sparked controversy from the academic to the religious world.

To be honest, all those purple robes and dodgy hats were bound to suggest something but it seems that Albus' sexuality has been welcomed by most fans. However, for others, particularly some religious groups, it has not been well received. Nigel Farndale of the The Daily Telegraph even suggests that "it is quite possible that the intolerant evangelical Christian Right in America will start burning Harry Potter books". Well, they've done it before.

Of course, there is no concrete evidence in the novels to say that Dumbledore was homosexual, it is simply the imagination of the author; "I have always thought of Dumbledore as gay", says Rowling. In my opinion, the sexuality of Harry's mentor is not essential in the books, however, academics searching for a subtext (previously trying to prove Harry's homosexuality) will undoubtedly scour the text to find suggestions of Albus' "passion". Farndale writes that perhaps Dumbledore took a dislike to Tom Riddle because the young wizard rejected his advances; after all, the reasons were never explained and Riddle soon waged war against Dumbledore as Lord Voldemort. But, did Voldemort's terrifying wrath really exist simply because he had a gay tiff with his former mentor? Personally, I think it's a bit extreme to say so.

Nevertheless, Dumbledore was always a man of tolerance and no doubt his iconic character has pleased the homosexuals of the 'muggle' world. So, although a slightly bizarre Potter announcement, the news will undoubtedly cause more discussion than was ever intended and lead to new interpretations of the novels; even if it doesn't have anything to do with the storyline. Question remains, however, why has Rowling chosen to tell us?

Calling all Harry Potter fans to let me know what you think - please comment.

"The Greatest War Novel of All Time"

2007-10-17T20:33:00.000+01:00

All Quiet on the Western Front -Erich Maria Remarque

"To no man does the earth mean so much as to the soldier" - one quote from the whole novel that sticks in my mind. Studying the First World War through Wilfred Owen and Sebastian Faulks, through my history lessons (and a free DVD Dad got with the Daily Mail) I have come to understand that the earth, Mother Nature, is a soldier's best friend. I chose to write my coursework on the subject and I have discovered an immense interest that has led in turn to a deep respect for nature and the poor soldiers of World War One. Just think: the only stable things in your life are the steady rumble of guns and the contaminated earth beneath your feet. How can anyone love that slow, sticky earth that slows you down, gets inside your skin and spits with gunfire? Because, when you finally die, she is your only loyal companion.

Remarque (originally Erich Paul Remark) was born in Germany and conscripted into the army in 1917, aged just 18. After being wounded five times, the final shrapnel wound caused such serious damage that he spent the rest of the war in a military hospital. With first hand knowledge, Remarque has written a fantastic fictional novel from the perspective of a 20 year-old German boy named Paul Bäumer. Paul volunteers to join the German army with his classmates and the book follows the course of the war and the subtle reduction of the group's number. It is a realistic novel that is straight to the point about conveying the horror of war.

One of the most interesting aspects of this book is the German perspective - I have never before read about the war from any perspective other than that of the British soldier. In British books, the German soldiers live comfortable and securely at the Western front and so they do in this book. Often Bäumer and his friends feast off goose, roast pork and on one occasion, lobster! The length of time that the German soldiers seem to stay at the front also seems significantly less than that of the British soldiers and the level of organisation and regulation seems much higher. However, ultimately, the situation is the same - Paul faces injury, death and inhumanity on a massive scale, on a daily basis.

Three things struck me about this novel: the feeling of comradeship, the brutality of the German forces and the subtle style of Remarque. Comradeship is a huge theme in this book, but the relationships that Paul has with his classmates appear closer than the relationship between two lovers. It becomes most apparent when Paul visits his family whilst on leave; the tone of the book becomes cold as the reader senses the isolation that the soldier feels from life at home. The brutality of the German forces is something unusual and it led me to feel much less sympathy for the ruthless soldiers; there are descriptions of a German counter attack on the French in which they stab the fleeing backs of enemy forces and chase them back into their own trench. This inhumane description probably matches the actions of the British but never before have I read about the ruthless murders of Germans at British hands. It was an honest and brave subject to include - probably giving more reason for Hitler to ban the text in the 1930s.

Finally, Remarque's subtle style; the way he writes is impressive and almost beautiful. I only became aware of it in the final chapters of the novel when I suddenly realised that Germany had gone from being a triumphant force feasting on succulent meat every night to a weak, deteriorating minute force. We see this gradual change in the character of Paul and in the final pages the reader slowly and sadly realises he has become the last surviving member of his class.

However, I don't want to be misleading; Remarque goes out of his way to convey the horrific, brutal truth about war, about men who "run with both their feet cut off", "without mouths, without jaws, without faces". The detachment from normal civilian life, the psychological effects of the guns and the comradeship are all included as in every good war novel; this is, without a doubt, a stunning account of war. However, the greatest war novel of all time? It is debatable. Admittedly, I don't know whether I have encountered a better one (not one from an author who saw the events with his own eyes) but the fact that it is a translation sometimes makes it hard to comprehend. Ultimately, I would like to read more of this genre before making such a definite judgement on a literary position so high.

Please comment if you have anything to add to this review of "All Quiet on the Western Front".

The Modern Way to Win a Woman

2007-10-07T09:47:00.000+01:00

Run, Fat Boy, Run

Directed by David Schwimmer

Dennis (Simon Pegg) is your average bachelor; not in perfect shape, living in a filthy environment, and alone. He is satisfied with a career as a security guard in a women's lingerie shop (which seems to attract criminal transvestites) and regularly forgets his keys, says things he doesn't mean and embarrasses himself in front of the one woman he aims to impress. Run, Fat Boy, Run is the story of this typically useless man as he attempts to win the heart of his former fiance in a not so traditional way.

This film should be credited for its simplicity, its realism and for the completely down-to-earth approach that the director takes in producing a typical romantic comedy. Filled with your regular stereotypes (beautiful lady, worthless single father, stuck up (yet attractive) romantic opposition) they are unusually played with unique and believable character.

Dennis, having left his fiance, Libby (Thandie Newton), five years previously, decides that he is going to run a marathon in order to prove himself to her. Her new boyfriend, Whit (Hank Azaria) is toned to perfection, trained both physically and mentally, and yet slightly flabby Dennis is determined to run alongside him. With the help of a friend, he accidentally earns himself a charity entry, running for Erectile Dysfunction Awareness, and with a pair of skimpy shorts and a flash pair of trainers bought him by his landlord, he sets out to train in just two weeks.

Does he manage it? Why, of course. With a few minor hiccups, it is obvious from the very start that the low-life, part-time Dad will run and achieve his goal with the image of lady and son in mind. It is these elements of predictable cheese that make it of the romantic comedy genre. However, Schwimmer gives it a unique and realistic edge by ensuring girl and boy don't quite reach that happily ever after - men need to know that running miles for us on a whim won't make us theirs forever! There is also a good range of British humour; admittedly a few awful moments where the humour completely fails. Yet, the impressive performances of Pegg, Azaria and Newton make up for it, as well as the good range of music to go with it. If I were to rate the film out of 5, I'd grant it a satisfactory 4. It's an entertaining film, with a good portion of British humour with the always-loveable hopeless pursuit of romance by a not-so-perfect man.

However, if I were to have one complaint, it would be the rating; rated 12, it should, in my opinion be rated 15. There is frequent bad language (which I am aware 12 year olds have no difficulty in using) and some sexual references that I was quite discomforted by knowing there were young people surrounding me. Yet, I suppose I should ultimately leave it up to the experts to decide. So, on a lighter note, if you can think of no other reason to go and watch this film other than Hank Azaria talcing his unmentionables, let that be it. It will no doubt entertain you, and if you are a Simon Pegg fan, it won't let you down.

Please comment if you have anything to add to this review of "Run, Fat Boy, Run".

Update

2007-10-07T09:21:00.000+01:00

I'm [again] sorry to say that I've been falling behind on my posting. But I have a spare hour now, so time calls for an update.

As my last post suggests, I've been a bit snowed under in terms of work, but the good news is that in just a week I'll be on my holidays. Nowhere fancy or foreign - just sitting at home enjoying the familiar comfort of dog fart and cat dribble. I can't wait. By Tuesday, I will also have sent off both my UCAS application and my Cambridge application (just as soon as the postal strike ends - no comment). That will be a weight off the noggin. As I mentioned in my last post, I am dropping a night of work and as of next week, that's done too.

I feeling much more elated than my last entry as, not only have I managed to complete a few things, but I've also managed to squeeze some simple pleasures into my life:

I have had my hair cut
I have joined the gym
I went to the cinema last night
I plan to do about an hour's worth of shopping later today

All these things, I must say, help to relieve the stress of everyday student life - I even got a relaxation session at the hairdresser's. Not sure why. Can't say I was particularly prepared but it was interesting to have oil rubbed over my face by a total stranger. They even asked me if I wanted to put my feet up whilst I had my hair washed. Nice girls. The gym is slightly more strenuous but it's a wonderful feeling once you've finished - you can feel a bit light-headed I'll admit, but it's fine once you've had a lump of chocolate or three.

The cinema is something I'd like to talk about in another post; I've fallen behind on my reviews so I should like to put in a word or two about the film I saw later on.

One last thing - roundabouts.

Now, if any driver can do them without stalling I'd like to know how. The big ones are starting to get a bit scary (especially as my instructor insists he can't ban all traffic from the road when I'm driving) and I'd like to be able to do one without holding up half of England, or risking my life as I roll onto them. Whatever happened to straight roads? The Romans had it sussed.

Have a happy Sunday.

It's a Hard Knock Life

2007-09-23T09:49:00.000+01:00

And don't I know it. It's only been five weeks into the new school year and I'm already feeling the pressure.

Currently studying four 'A' Levels to A2 standard, I have a mountain of work every week. As well as this, I have to keep up a part-time job, search for an institution in which to spend the next three years of my life, write a personal statement, complete UCAS forms, get irate at useless school administration staff.... I think you get it. Oh, and did I mention the full-time boyfriend and the thriving social life? That was a bit of a lie - I don't really have a thriving social life. But, it would be nice to have the time and the option of one.

Well, it's time for a few important decisions. They stand as follows:

Drop one night of work
Leave Sundays totally free to catch up on homework
Complete personal statement by... today? (But I did say that last Sunday)

I'm not ditching the bloke.

However, I'm not very good at giving myself free time (hence the poor attendance to my blog) and I've replaced those obstacles with new ones:

Driving lessons (Yay! But at least a night a week)
Participation in The Wind in the Willows (requires me to be at rehearsals Wednesday and Thursday nights)
Participation in the school production (requires me to be at rehearsals Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons)

So, I've not done too well with Operation Ease-Stress.

But neveryoumind, until I become completely suicidal, it's not a problem. I'm still doing what I enjoy, even if I am running about a bit like a headless chicken.

However, I would like to whinge slightly about my current institution of study; they talk tosh. They have consistently told us since the beginning of term, "Year 13s are our priority" - yeah right. They just about manage to remember we're there at all by 'briefing' us on the same thing every week; "This is your last year of study.. very important.. pull your socks up.." blah blah blah. It will apparently take 3 weeks for them to 'process' each personal statement; meaning it will take them three weeks from the day we give it to them for them to lose it six times ('misplaced', 'cleaner threw it away', 'dog pooed on it' rubbish) until we force them to read it in front of us and tell us, "it's alright." Unfortunately, I have lost faith in my superiors, just as I have done in the every important year of my education (except Mr Brown). This time I will actually do something about it.

... Just as soon as they've written my references.

Got Soul?

2007-08-31T17:57:00.000+01:00

I Know You Got Soul - Jeremy Clarkson

Recommended by my Cash Source, this is the first non-fiction book I've read in some time. Standing ninth of eleven books written by Jeremy Clarkson, it proved to be something a bit different to the style that I normally read; but putting a bit of extra knowledge in the ol' noggin never hurt anyone. As a history student, I was particularly drawn to looking at the development of machines through the ages, which is only a little of what this book does.

Naturally, it's Clarkson and his beloved machines. However, this time, instead of the general gobbledy gook, horse power, mumbo jumbo car piffle, he focuses on a few of the 'greatest' machines made by man. As the title suggests, he then gives us a report that ultimately tells us why they "got soul". Each chapter is dedicated to a different machine, from the AK-47 to the Hoover Dam and it is a very interesting read; you get the typical random 'little boy' facts that Jeremy Clarkson so famously loves alongside the unique history of each machine's life.

Although, cleverly written with wit and humour, it is a book of opinion and not just fact. Even if a certain machine has got soul, Clarkson doesn't hesitate to tell us how crap it might have been from time to time - like the futility of the zeppelin. I had already thought that the zeppelin was a slightly stupid idea - having done history, I know it did pretty poorly in the First World War - but I didn't know it was quite such a chore to make it. In fact, Clarkson makes the 17 or so attempts to fly the thing a very amusing read; over several pages he reviews the effort and the stupidity involved and the sheer length of his writing gives you a sense of the length of time and the frustration it took to create. And yet, the German taxpayers kept forking out their money for some dipstick to keep it going.

Clarkson is notorious for his opinions, and doesn't hold back in this book either but I wouldn't say it makes an uninteresting or annoying read. It can be very funny if you can relate to what he says, but if you don't agree that all teenagers are spotty and slow amongst other things, you might not have much time for him. However, I agreed to sit down with this book knowing that the man evokes a little giggle in me from time to time on his hit show Top Gear. I was not disappointed in that this book made me giggle too; his writing style is clearly very similar to his style of speech. So if you find his voice annoying, you won't enjoy his books.

However, I did enjoy this book, but when I did a bit of research on it I saw one man described each chapter as an "essay" and I realised he was right. Further reading showed that many people felt that his style became quite repetitive and I realised both these opinions go hand in hand. I read the book very quickly, in about two days, and in reading chapter after chapter after chapter, you start to feel that his style is very samey and the title he had in mind for each chapter is obviously: "In what ways is the [name of amazing machine] full of soul and what reasons can you give for this?" Nevertheless, he gives very valid reasons for why each machine has soul, except for perhaps the aircraft carrier, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, which he just seems to find noisy and big. As well as this, he does present his argument with humour and even with a little imagination - there's even a scene involving Nicole Kidman and some serious muscular strength.

So, to conclude, is I Know You Got Soul worth the attention of your own soul? I'd say yes. It's not a challenging read and you can bump up your IQ whilst still having a little giggle. Stay away if you groan and grunt when you see him on the telly and know him as "that tall bloke who won't shut up about his hot wheels." If you like the classic machines and bit of their valuable history, it's a good informative and interesting read. If you like Clarkson, you'll love that his unique style continues to shine through. However, of all the books I've read, I don't think I'd say that this has quite "got soul", a bit of brains, a bit of wit, but no non-fiction for me can really have a heart.

Please comment if you have anything to add to this review of "I Know You Got Soul".

Apologies

2007-08-26T09:28:00.000+01:00

I am sorry to say that I have sinned as a blogger and haven't posted for about two weeks. Shame on me. But, I am currently redeeming myself so I figured I've gotten away with it. I've been thinking about what other reviews I could write but then I realised that I haven't put a normal post up for even longer than two weeks! So here it is, as normal as it gets anyway.

What can I reflect upon? Holiday!

My holiday in Montenegro was very, very good; hot, sunny, beautiful scenery, nice restaurants, lazy and just generally wonderful. I got to have a good ol' chin wag with the parents; considering we didn't have a family holiday last year, we had quite a lot to wag about. There were a couple of minor dramas; Mum fell in the road whilst running but swiftly James-Bond-rolled out of harm's way and came back only bleeding a bit. Then she bled a bit more. Then we decided she should go to hospital. One stitch and five hospital trips later, she was hunky dory again. My sister, in a desperate attempt to get a better tan than me (like that could ever happen), stayed in the sun too long and ended up face down in a fish restaurant. She'd fainted. It was alright though, Mum waved a slice of lemon under her nose and she quickly came around - bewildered at why anyone would dare put lemon on her face. All in all though, very enjoyable. It's always nice to do nothing occasionally.

What next? School!

Yes, school. I'm one of the unlucky few who started school on Tuesday 21st August. Why? God only knows. I had a very odd headteacher who, for some reason only known to him, liked the five term year for schools. So we got it. And a four week summer. Rubbish. However, despite the first depressing trudge to the bus stop on the first day, my first week as a whole has been very good. Although I enjoyed my studies last year (starting in a new place, everything was exciting and different), this year, I am enjoying my studies a thousand times more - already! All of my lessons seem to appeal to me much more; the topics are more interesting, the teachers seem to be more passionate about what they're teaching and there is a bigger determination amongst the class to succeed. Though of course it will be tough, it looks like it's going to be a good year.

Now... Results!

My A/S results came through, along with many others , on 16th August this year. Obviously, there isn't as much of a hoo hah about them as there is for GCSE and A level results (most people don't really understand the point of them) but they are important to some people - A/S students. They might not seem that significant but we still don't want to have spent a year of our life working to gain nothing. I have since learnt that these results mostly determine what grade you will recieve in A2 courses, and to some people's surprise, you can't do that well if you get a 'U' grade. I actually got my grades a day later than most people because I was on holiday, but they were waiting on the doorstep for me when I got home. No, not the doorstep... I meant the other side of the door. The mat, I suppose. But, I don't have a mat. Anyway, to the important bit - the grades. I got:

English Literature - A

Theatre Studies - B

French - B

History - A

It's fair to say I was chuffed, particularly pleasing was my grade in English because it is most important to me. And I did spell out 'ABBA' deliberately. So, I'll be continuing all four subjects into A2. I'd just like to say well done to all my fellow students on your results; I'm sure you all did very well. And parents, congratulate your sons and daughters - it might not be A level just yet, but it was still jolly hard work.

Something more exciting...? Chicago!

22nd August, my family and I ventured to the theatre once again, this time indoors in Eastbourne, to watch the popular West End musical, Chicago. Obviously, it was fantastic with only a few flaws, but I don't think I'm quite to the standard of being able to fully review West End productions! Another reason for my reluctance to review it properly is that I found myself making every judgement in comparison to the film. The stage show and the film are quite different, the film having a lot more acting and the stage show being all about the music, song and dance. The movie is one of my favourites and so, at the beginning, I was critical of the musical for not being the same. However, I still couldn't help enjoying it and Act Two was an incredible act. The court scene was a particular favourite of mine; it was nothing like the film and so it stood out as unique and original. I stand by the idea that a musical's chorus is far better than its principles; they dance amazingly, precisely in time to the music and each other; they look fantastic, they sound fantastic and I'm sure they have more energy than six rockets combined. All in all, it was very impressive and very fun, and they succeeded in holding my attention strongly enough to stop me singing along.

Well, I think that just about concludes this post. Do enjoy the weather - it's almost sunny in the South East.

Have a happy Sunday.

One Hearty Tale

2007-08-14T17:28:00.000+01:00

Marley & Me - John Grogan

Firstly, there's something you should know about me; I love dogs. Not only do I love dogs, but when I read stories/see films/see pictures of them, I go into an emotional frenzy. For example, when I was four I watched an episode of The Simpsons where the family dog ran away due to neglect - I cried. More recently, around two months ago my school teacher made a slide show of pictures dedicated to her recently deceased dog - I cried. I well up simply at the sight of those wretched RSPCA leaflets you get through your door. So, naturally when an American journalist wrote about the story of his life alongside the 'World's Worst Dog', at the end, I cried.

Luckily, I think I was able to disguise my tears as sweat or sea water. The snot was a little more difficult to conceal as I was on the beach in sunny Montenegro and sandy grit kept sticking to my top lip. Not attractive, especially compared to Little Miss Pretty to my right and Big Boobs Super Tan to my left. Nevertheless, I was happy to persevere with this book until the very end in full public view. Sadly, although the book had such an emotional effect on me, it could never be one my favourites.

For me, Marley & Me was a special book before I'd picked it up; it was a gift from two American friends. We hosted Michelle and Melina for five days, and at the end of their short stay, Michelle gave my family and I this book. We'd never heard of it, but apparently it was very popular in America. It was only about two weeks later that I saw Marley & Me on sale in the supermarket where I work. However, the main reason that she gave it to us was because the hero of the story, Marley, is a golden Labrador retriever. My dog too, is a yellow Lab; exactly the same as Marley, minus the 'World's Worst Dog' qualities. Stig (yes, Stig) is in fact the World's Best Dog; he only chewed through two wooden steps, three phone wires, a PlayStation controller and one windowsill. Not bad, I think you'll agree. Anyway, with the antics of my dog in my mind, this book looked like I would be able to relate to it sufficiently enough to enjoy it.

The book itself, begins when John Grogan and his wife, Jenny, are thinking of purchasing a puppy. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Marley, the puppy of their choice, is a hyper-active, destructive, nervous monster. However, in my opinion, this dog is no worse than many others and all of his expensive antics were never conducted in a malicious manner. Marley is all fun, his very existence in the centre of a growing family being enough to keep him overjoyed almost all the time. The book covers Marley's life time and during that, the growth of the Grogan family from a couple of newlyweds to the experienced working parents of three young children. From miscarriage to moving house, Marley shares it all and Grogan now takes the time to share it with his readers.

I would not like to say I didn't enjoy it, because I did. However, there were certain aspects that I disliked about Grogan's style. For one, it screamed American. Every paragraph, every sentence, every word just oozed the stuff. Of course, the vocabulary was spelt slightly differently, according to American grammatical rules, but you couldn't rule out the Yankee lifestyle. The stylish house, the perfect family and of course, the patriotism. Oh yes, even a story about a rogue Labrador can include the "valor and sacrifice" that the US flag represents. OK, I should give Grogan a break; his style is American because he is American and everybody loves a bit of patriotism, don't they? Naturally, I'm biased for being British, but by golly don't the Americans love America.

The second thing I disliked about Grogan's writing was his tendency to repeat himself. Over and over it seemed the author was writing about the destruction his dog had caused as if it was something new to get excited or horrified at. The dog constantly flung slobber over furniture, chewed through walls and stole food... for his whole life. Whereas it was interesting to learn each new destructive technique when it first arrived, Grogan began telling his readers what they already knew. It made some aspects of the book, sometimes whole chapters, slightly irrelevant.

The third thing, I think was down to personal taste. On the back of the book read comments such as "very funny" and "heartfelt and frequently hilarious". In my opinion it was not frequently hilarious. The stories he told had the potential to be very funny, I'll admit, but the style in which Grogan retold them was not. Grogan is a magnificent story-teller, recounting events with much detail. For this reason, each 'hilarious' event was easy to conjure up in your mind. However, despite this, I still didn't find reason to laugh. A frequently hilarious novel is one that actually makes you laugh out loud - frequently. For me, this book did neither.

However, don't be put off, my mum has just stuck her nose into the first few chapters and already she's giggling - out loud. So, for some this book obviously does carry the characteristics of a comedy. As well as this, as I've already mentioned, Grogan is a fantastic story-teller and he most definitely appeals to his audiences well. Obviously, this comes from his experiences as a columnist, where he must find a subject of appeal. Even I, despite a few grumbles, felt totally drawn in by my relationship with my own dog. Everything he said about dogs, particularly Labradors, was complete truth; they really are an extremely loyal breed. Just like Marley, my dog follows me round the house like a magnet, despite stiff hips. It was the fact that this book told a completely down-to-earth story of love and devotion, happiness and despair that makes it a bestseller. If you're a dog lover, you'll enjoy it. If not, I doubt you'll find much enjoyment in it at all. Nevertheless, don't hesitate to try it; it's well written and has been well enjoyed by many.

Please comment if you have anything to add to this review of 'Marley & Me'.

So, are the Harry Potter books worth all the fuss?

2007-08-07T21:35:00.000+01:00

According to my poll, 4 out of 5 people believe so. Well, I'm still on my holidays, basking in the 35 degree sun, on the beach, by the cool, blue sea with... sorry, got carried away. What I was getting to is that, fortunately, I have the time to try and tackle the 700 page Order of the Phoenix, which, as I previously guessed, my sister has surrendered to me - unread.

So, this is really just a short post to remind all you fellow English lovers that I am pursuing my curiosity about J.K. Rowling's, so called, 'masterpieces' but in the mean time, I'm also reading up on a few other styles. My next battle is the latest Sophie Kinsella installment, Shopaholic and Baby. I say battle, but really it's a breeze. It's just some light-hearted entertainment that will possibly put me off shopping... Nah! Could anything?! It'll probably just make me wish I was richer, which in turn will depress me. I will then organise a spending spree to cheer myself up. And so the cycle continues... On a plus, I might be richer than I think - it's pay day :) However, being in a foreign land, I can't check my balance. So, I'll have to get back to you on my actual economic status.

Have a good evening.

PS. If you hadn't guessed, they do have the Internet in Montenegro, so there's no break from my blogging.

Fact in Fiction

2007-08-06T17:29:00.000+01:00

Hitler's Canary - Sandi Toksvig

I like to read a variety of books just to get a taste of every kind of writing. It's entertaining, exciting and, in my opinion, helps shape a good writer. This book indeed is very different. Based on the experiences of the author's father in World War Two, it does not take place on the Western Front or in Britain or France like typical war novels - this is a story of a young boy on his home soil in Denmark. A little bit of fact, with a little bit of fiction.

Hitler's Canary, written from the point of view of a thirteen-year old boy, portrays the effect of the Second World War on Denmark. Unlike Birdsong, this novel does not follow the life of a soldier but a boy called Bamse's outlook on how the war affects his country, his family, his friends and even himself. Not too much gore, a little terror and a lot of of bravery.

The novel is written for a young audience, between the ages of 10 and 14, but can easily be enjoyed by all. It is a fairly light-hearted tale of adventure packed with some good ol' 'lessons to be learnt'. However, don't be fooled into thinking that Toksvig treats the war as a simple adventure to be enjoyed - far from it. She successfully writes in a style that children will enjoy whilst still emphasising that the war was a very serious thing; "It wasn't funny at all."

It is also interesting to read about the war from the point of view of a child, something not often read about or experienced (except perhaps in the famous diaries of Anne Frank). However, totally different from the diaries of the young Jewish girl, Hitler's Canary shows how this young boy got involved in the protection of the Danish Jews by being part of the resistance. Yet, the beginning of the book, (when Bamse is only ten) shows that at first the war was too big an issue to understand and undoubtedly, children were unsure how to react if foreign soldiers occupied their cities. Nevertheless, this book shows that children of all ages were affected and had a difficult time all of their own.

Bamse, the main character of the story, has to struggle to keep up with the antics of his older brother, a freedom fighter in the resistance. As well as this, he wants to keep his more docile father happy by not upsetting the Germans and carrying on as normal. In addition to this is the need to please his best friend, "one of the most daring boys in Denmark", a Jewish boy. Naturally, he has the age-old dilemmas that all children suffer at some stage; please your friends or your family? Not always easy to please both. However, a particular highlight of this book for me is the constant fear this young boy reminds himself of and the courage he always finds and never credits himself for.

Toksvig cleverly covers all aspects of the occupation; the soldiers' tendency to take and use whatever facilities they want; the bravery of ordinary citizens in smuggling the Jews out of danger; the fear felt by the Jews in occupied countries. Yet, her style is very simple and entertaining to keep her young audience interested. I particularly liked the hooks she used at the end of some chapters. "it would also be her last", begs the simple question - why? Toksvig uses similar one-liners to keep her reader reading.

I first picked up this book because I thought it had a fun title; 'Hitler's Canary' I later learned was the Allies' name for Denmark in the early stages of the war. I took a closer look and it seemed to be a book aimed more at younger people. But I have a younger brother, and it was on a 3 for 2 offer so I thought 'why not?' On reading the blurb, I saw mentions of the theatre and it got me a little more interested. It turns out that this book, although it has a couple of quotes from the odd Shakespeare play, is not about the theatre, and not entirely about having fun. It is a good way to introduce the terrifying experiences of Nazi occupation in World War Two to children across the globe; it doesn't get too deep, Toksvig shapes it into a digestible adventure story and finally, there's a note at the back giving a few horrifying statistics about the Second World War. Most importantly, they are well selected; they are nearly all about the children, whom, of course, the war affected too.

Please comment if you have anything to add to this review of 'Hitler's Canary'.

Just an Update

2007-07-29T15:03:00.000+01:00

Well, the summer's just begun; days almost rain-free, parents dragging bored kids round supermarkets just to keep them quiet, and the depressing sight of white socks and sandals. As a student, I have work to keep me occupied over the period. As a student, I just can't be bothered to do it. But, if there is one thing to enjoy about the summer, it's the lie ins.

Today, for the first time in about seven years, I slept past midday. It's quite a memorable day for me because I'm generally an early riser - but everybody has an off-day. I had to check about three different clocks just to make sure that it actually was 12:15 pm. I don't know how people can do it; I feel like I've missed half the day - well, yes I did, but that's besides the point. How on earth am I going to fit in all the important things that I have to do into my day? Stroking my dog, reading, adding to my blog, watching a film... I just don't know how I'll manage it.

Anyway, to the point of the post; Harry Potter. I might have mentioned that my brother kindly offered the fifth novel (Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix) to me and that I wanted to read and review it sometime soon. However, I returned home the other day to find my sister tucked up in bed, her nose stuck right in the pages. "Well, I haven't read it yet and I wanted to see what all the fuss is about" was her reply to "Er... what do you think you're doing?" So it seems I'm not the only one. Only, now I'll be left to wallow in my curiosity for more weeks to come until my sister finally surrenders the book to me (probably half-read). I suppose, this is an update just to let you know that I haven't forgotten about this important topic. Just hang in there, the review is on its way.

While I'm at it, I may as well let you know that I will be jetting off to sunny Montenegro on Friday 3rd and probably won't be offered the luxury of the Internet whilst I'm there. In which case, this spot might go cold for a couple of weeks. However, never fear, for holidays are the best time for reading. Therefore, upon my return I will have more reviews in my head than you can shake a stick at - enough to keep you satisfied and entertained for all the days you've missed.

I will also return 17 years of age. I expect birthday comments (12th August) but I also expect that this blog will become a bit of progress diary for either how much or how little I improve as I attempt to learn to drive. It might cost a bit of money to start with - but why else would I slog my guts out at work three days a week? (Only three days!) I'm a student, I'm allowed to be part time. It'll certainly save me money in the long run in comparison to the extortionate fares of trains and buses. The only way I managed to get a discount on rail fares was by giving them twenty quid first!

Anyway, I'm side-tracking, I'll save it for my letter to Gordon Brown.

Enjoy your day.

The Shakespeare Experience

2007-07-29T14:48:00.000+01:00

Thursday 26th July 2007 - a nice day for a picnic or a nice night for an open-air performance. Well, alright it wasn't nice. In fact it was terrible. Nevertheless, at around 6:30pm I ventured out into the p*****g rain with my family to support the locals at a National Trust theatre event - a production of The Taming of the Shrew. Despite the weather, the performance was very impressive and the actors clearly ignored the showers and continued to give it their all.

This one of Shakespeare's earlier plays, is a comedy filled with confusions, satire and a good ol' fashioned dig at women! The Taming of the Shrew, however, is not all that it suggests. There is a shrew (Katherine), the tamer of that shrew (Petruchio of Verona) but there are also many other characters, as themselves and sometimes in disguise. The story starts with two sisters, Katherine and Bianca, Bianca whom has many suitors but who is also denied marriage by her father until Katherine is married before her. Katherine, as her notorious title suggests, is a bit crabby and tends to just throw a wobbly whenever she's confronted by a male. Thus, it seems Bianca has no hope. The story progresses into a twisted tale that I shall not go into for your own sake - we'll be here forever.

I was very impressed with the actress playing Katherine; she was a strong performer, cleverly focusing on her facial expression and posture to create the perfect miserable cow. She had scowling down a tee and a heavy stomp - all she needed was a pair of big, black boots and a 'Nirvana' hoody and she might have looked like a proper teenager. Unfortunately, the actress playing Bianca was slightly weaker, so she didn't match up to her fellow actress. Yet, I think I can say she was sufficiently girly enough to match her girly part; perhaps being a weaker actress played to her strength as that character.

The most outstanding performances for me personally, however, were the performances by the Tailor and Petruchio of Verona. The Tailor, although only a minor part, perfected his character to what I imagine to be his own interpretation of the man. He was a hunched over, elderly man, complete with a funny little voice and a comical stutter. He may have only had a few lines, but he certainly got the audience's attention with his excellent stage presence, and I couldn't help but give a little giggle or two. Otherwise, I always remember to respect my elders.

Petruchio of Verona on the other hand, was a much bolder character, but with an equally brilliant stage presence. He kept up his husky voice, nearly always shouting to emphasise his authority and strength of character. He used his props well (hitting his female servant in the face with a fake ham - I think it was an accident...) and wore the clothes of a madman like he was born in them. It may be fair to say he was the most convincing character of them all. Except perhaps the minstrel, who managed to sit on the same upside-down pot for the duration of the play. If it were me, I would have at least protested to get a proper chair, after all, there is no such thing as a small part, only small actors. And he wasn't that small.

Overall, it was a thoroughly enjoyable night. I am being very positive, probably because my most vivid memory of the night was my uncontrollable laughter at the cold wet faces of poor English folk in rain macs. Particularly my father's, whose most enjoyable part was probably the battenberg we'd brought for our picnic; he's not really into Shakespeare, he's a Sheridan man. Likes the tights. But, my hat's off to all the actors for continuing so bravely throughout several downpours and the impressive performances of nearly all of the actors. The comedy was there, the farce was certainly there, and there was even a boy wearing hair gel, which I'm sure Shakespeare would've disapproved of - the rain soon sorted that.

So, many thanks to the National Trust for providing such a treat, and there could still be more to come from them - we might win some gardening advice on the raffle.

Please comment if you have anything to add to this review of 'The Taming of the Shrew'.

A Day in Literary History

2007-07-22T13:32:00.000+01:00

Yesterday, 21st July 2007, was an important day for modern literature; it was the release date for the final chronicle in the Harry Potter series. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows has no doubt already been purchased and read cover to cover by millions, but I can't count myself among them. Ever since finishing book number four (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire) I haven't kept up to date with the ones to follow it. As enjoyable as the books are, I myself feel that I have read better examples of British literature.

However, the release of the seventh novel has intrigued me and my curiosity is leading me to read the fifth book (Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix). I want to find out what the fuss is all about, and to see if the final three novels can shift my opinion from "Well... they're alright" to "They're blimmin' fantastic!"

I hope in a week or so's time to be able to review book number five and the whole Harry Potter situation. But, I need your help. First thing's first, vote in the poll on the left hand side of this blog, just so I can get an idea of whether I'm a total outcast of opinion. Did you queue up outside bookstores in the early hours of yesterday morning to buy the last novel? I'd have liked to have queued, gone in, picked a book on gardening and bought that instead - just to catch a few reactions and because I can. But, still being under the legal driving age, and living in the sticks, doesn't make these things easy for me - so technically I can't. [Sorry, straying slightly there.] Secondly, leave me a little comment. Feel free to totally tear me to shreds - I probably am a freak for not being crazy about J.K. Rowling's masterpieces. But also feel free to sympathise - I'd like to know I'm not alone.

Have a happy Sunday.

Mission Accomplished

2007-07-21T21:08:00.000+01:00

Birdsong - Sebastian Faulks

Yesterday afternoon, after much determination, I finally finished reading Birdsong written by Sebastian Faulks. I will assume that many of you have heard of the novel, first published in 1993, or at least of the author as he recently attempted a Bond novel. However, if you haven't heard of Birdsong, here's why it's worth your undivided attention.

First I must confess that the main reason for my reading of this book is because it is part of my A level syllabus and soon I will have to pick it apart and analyse it for coursework. However, I was determined to finish reading it beforehand. I have succeeded, and I can easily admit that the novel is one of the best I have ever read.

Written to reveal the horrors of the First World War on the Western Front, it appears to hold nothing back. If as a reader you like honesty and belief from your authors, then Sebastian Faulks is the man for you. From vivid sex scenes to the vile retrieval of rotten bodies from the battlefield, every sentence, every metaphor, every simile is guaranteed to evoke images previously unimaginable. Some made me feel physically sick, others made me read on in awe, but despite the unpleasant imagery, I didn't want it to end.

The book is well structured; the beginning, set in France, 1910, is designed to prepare the reader for war. Not only does Faulks use clever word association ('battle', 'invade', 'innocent') to subtly convey the idea that war is inevitable, but he also uses nature to describe stagnant, decaying natural scenes, similar to those of the trenches. However, despite his descriptions of peacetime locations being similar to those of the war, there is a clear difference in humanity in pre-war France. The characters live in a well-run, respected, upper class town house, exposed to luxuries such as the choice of "at least a dozen meats". Compared with the then sparsely fed soldiers, forced to live in filth with only the comfort of another man's body to sleep upon, the contrast is severe, enhancing the horrible situations of those involved in war.

The novel follows Stephen Wraysford's journey through war, from 1910 eventually revealing his life up until his death. He is a strange, solitary character, who seems indifferent to emotion. For this reason, his encounters with death, fear, lust and loneliness allow you to imagine how you would feel, had you ever been unlucky enough to be put in Stephen's situations. He is an ordinary character with a disrupted background, yet he almost always appears controlled and secure. His self-control is challenged by the effects of the war and it is interesting to see how the war affected people of all natures through Faulks' characters.

As well as a view on pre-war France and life during the war, Faulks also sets part of his novel in the 1970's, following the life of Stephen's grand-daughter. At first, these sections of the book seemed unnecessary to me, however, it soon becomes clear that the author wants us to see the post-war affects on some people. Through Elizabeth (the grand-daughter) we re-visit some of the British soldiers that Stephen fought alongside, only to discover that, sixty years on, the war hasn't left them. It is a slightly shocking view on the length of devastation the war caused.

If I have any criticism of this book, it is Stephen's final battle of the war. It is not a physical battle, but a battle with life and death. In this final chapter it is clear that the author was faced with two choices; convey the reality of the duration of his task in a believable way and let the character die, or try and convince the readers of the reality and let the character live. Inevitably, from the modern sections of the book, the character lives. Therefore, there are elements of Stephen's battle that become unbelievable, particularly how he manages to live without food or water for around a week having already been suffering from exhaustion, a damaged arm and other psychological effects of the war. Nevertheless, the final chapter is exciting, thrilling and satisfying and I went back and read it again because I couldn't bear for it to finish.

Finally, this novel has been credited by many critics and is obviously a suitable book for A level study. However, I think this book is best enjoyed without having to read into too much depth. So, if you enjoy historical fiction, particularly the type close to the truth, then it is well worth reading Birdsong. It is easy to lose yourself in Faulks' imagery, and I was deeply moved by what was conveyed to me. I grew to love and hate the uncomfortable, unfortunate characters and was horrified in knowing that their lives in war were absolute reality for some men. Now, with no first hand experience of either of the World Wars, I hope nothing so horrendous hits European soil again.

Please comment if you have anything to add to this review of 'Birdsong'.

Welcome

2007-07-15T15:34:00.000+01:00

Well, that greeting is as much for me as it is for you. I have to confess I am a complete blogging virgin and not much of a pro on anything requiring me to enter a code to prove I'm human. In fact, I shouldn't prepare yourself for any fancy, whiz-kid features as my knowledge of computers is far from advanced. However, let's hope that I can allow any other astounding personal qualities to shine through the technology and entertain you more simply. No need for crazed cartoons with eyes that suggest glue-sniffing making shrill noises to attract your attention and will you to click to play 'Shoot the Nobody' for a cash prize of minus £1000.

Well, now that we both have been introduced to this blogging business, I find this a favourable opportunity for my mentioning who I am - (get the quote?) I am a young person (I don't respond to kid, child, youth or 'erbert) who is passionate about two things in particular - the theatre and the English language. I enjoy every aspect of theatre; acting, directing, singing, dancing and just about anything else that involves the stage. However, don't be fooled, I'm not merely a mindless performer (oh no!) I live for the theory behind the practise too. Delving into the mind of a playwright to uncover the symbolism and the possiblities is a particular highlight of mine. Naturally, I try my best to go the theatre as well as take part in the performance, but don't get me started on the difficulties I have with public transport.

In pursuit of my love of English, I have in the past been involved in Youth Public Speaking competitions, writing and presenting my own speeches as well as writing reports and programmes for college events. Of course I read to fuel my knowledge of literature, although I have to confess, I've recently let myself slip a little.

Yet - here's the good part - I am now seeking to reform my state of slacking by entering the World Wide Web and sharing my experiences with other fellow theatre and book lovers. Hopefully, this will give me (and you) the opportunity to show appreciation for the ones who've laboured to give us the impressive, expressive literature we enjoy.

I hope to share the experiences of my studies and all the reading, viewing and performing I do in my own time. Naturally, accompanying this will be the ups and downs of student life that comes with having a youthful thirst for knowledge. Feel free to share your experiences - but fellow students, be warned, you might set me off on a rant.

So, please journey with me as I blog my way through year 13.